The strategically vital Strait of Hormuz is unlikely to reopen anytime soon, according to Iran’s chief negotiator and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf; in a report published Thursday (April 21) by BBC, he accused the United States and Israel of violating the ceasefire and explained Tehran’s stance, stating that U.S.-imposed naval restrictions have effectively paralyzed Iranian ports, holding not only Iran but also the global economy “hostage,” while also blaming Israel for escalating tensions across multiple fronts; meanwhile, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran remains open to a diplomatic resolution, though repeated breaches of agreements, blockades, and ongoing threats continue to hinder meaningful negotiations; on the other side, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced an indefinite extension of the ceasefire, with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt noting that no specific timeline has been set; tensions around the Strait have further intensified, as Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reportedly seized two cargo vessels for “inspection,” claiming the ships were operating without authorization and violating maritime regulations; with a significant share of the world’s energy supply passing through this corridor, the ongoing situation is fueling fresh uncertainty in global trade and oil markets.
Opening the Strait of Hormuz is not possible now: Iran
