The Strait of Hormuz, through which around 20% of the world’s petroleum products pass, has remained closed for two months following the war launched by the United States and Israel against Iran on February 28, 2026. The closure has contributed to rising global fuel prices.
Although both sides have begun negotiations, the second round of talks has faced setbacks after President Donald Trump reportedly prevented the American delegation from traveling to Pakistan, where the discussions were expected to take place.
On April 30, 2026, President Trump was expected to receive plans for new military strikes against Iran aimed at pressuring Tehran to accept conditions proposed by Washington for ending the war.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei stated that quick results should not be expected from the talks with the United States.
He said, “Expecting a solution in a short period of time, regardless of the mediator involved, is not realistic for me.”
A senior commander in Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned that if the United States launches new attacks on Iran, Tehran would retaliate with large-scale strikes targeting American military bases across the Middle East.
Commander of the Iranian Air Force, Majid Mousavi, also warned the U.S., saying, “We saw what happened to your bases in the region; you will witness similar events involving your warships.”
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, said in a message to Iranian citizens that the country would continue preventing its enemies from misusing the waterway and would maintain control over it.
He stated, “Foreigners who came from thousands of kilometers away have no place there except at the bottom of the sea.”
