Scan to Download
Iran said it fully reopened the Strait of Hormuz to commercial vessels, but questions lingered about how much freedom ships actually had to transit the waterway as Tehran maintained its grip on who got through and threatened to close it again if the US kept in place its blockade of Iranian ships and ports.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that ships would use routes designated by the Islamic Republic in coordination with Iranian authorities, suggesting Iran planned to retain some level of control over the channel. It was not clear if vessels would have to pay tolls.
US President Donald Trump, meanwhile, said the American blockade "will remain in full force" until Tehran reaches a deal with the US, including on its nuclear programme.
Iranian officials said the blockade was a violation of last week's ceasefire agreement between Iran and the US. The strait "will not remain open" if the blockade continues, Iran's parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said.
Esmaeil Baghaei, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said, "Enriched uranium is as sacred to us as the soil of Iran, and it will not be transferred anywhere under any circumstances."
Esmaeil Baghaei, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:@IRIMFA_SPOX
— Iran in India (@Iran_in_India) April 18, 2026
“Enriched uranium is as sacred to us as the soil of Iran, and it will not be transferred anywhere under any circumstances.” pic.twitter.com/f7yx14B9ZH
Iran's parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said the Strait of Hormuz would not remain open if the United States kept up what Tehran called a naval blockade, pushing back against President Donald Trump's claims that the vital waterway was fully open and that wider negotiations were close to a breakthrough.
US President Donald Trump: We've been pushed around by Iran for 47 years — but not anymore.
.@POTUS: "We've been pushed around by Iran for 47 years — but not anymore." 🔥 pic.twitter.com/IeJcxAoJW7
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 18, 2026
On the question whether there going to be restrictions and tolls in Hormuz managed by Iran for ships and vessels passing through?" The US President said, "Nope. No way... The restriction is you can't do the tolls. No, there's not gonna be tolls."
REPORTER: "On the Strait — are there going to be restrictions and tolls managed by Iran for ships and vessels passing through?"@POTUS: "Nope. No way... The restriction is you can't do the tolls. No, there's not gonna be tolls." pic.twitter.com/PaTpnFPOr2
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 18, 2026
In a post on social media platform Truth Social, US President Donald Trump wrote, "President Xi is very happy that the Strait of Hormuz is open and/or rapidly opening. Our meeting in China will be a special one and, potentially, Historic. I look forward to being with President Xi — Much will be accomplished!" - President DONALD J. TRUMP."
“President Xi is very happy that the Strait of Hormuz is open and/or rapidly opening. Our meeting in China will be a special one and, potentially, Historic. I look forward to being with President Xi — Much will be accomplished!” - President DONALD J. TRUMP pic.twitter.com/wQkYuttGfV
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 18, 2026
The ceasefire in Lebanon could clear one major obstacle to an agreement between Iran, the United States and Israel to end the war. But it was unclear to what extent Hezbollah would abide by a deal it did not play a role in negotiating and which will leave Israeli troops occupying a stretch of southern Lebanon.
Trump said in another post that Israel is "prohibited" by the US from further strikes on Lebanon and that "enough is enough" in the Israel-Hezbollah war.
The State Department said the prohibition applies only to offensive attacks and not to actions taken in self-defence.
Direct talks between the US and Iran last weekend were inconclusive, as the two nations could not agree about Iran's nuclear programme and other points. Trump suggested a second round of talks could happen this weekend.
"The Iranians want to meet," he said in a brief telephone interview with the news outlet Axios. "They want to make a deal. I think a meeting will probably take place over the weekend."
Iranian officials said the blockade was a violation of last week's ceasefire agreement between Iran and the US. The strait "will not remain open" if the blockade continues, Iran's parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, posted on X early Saturday.
In a post on X, he raised the following:
1- The President of the United States made seven claims in one hour, all seven of which were false.
2- They did not win the war with these lies, and they will certainly not get anywhere in negotiations either.
3- With the continuation of the blockade, the Strait of Hormuz will not remain open.
4- Passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be conducted based on the "designated route" and with "Iranian authorization."
5- Whether the Strait is open or closed and the regulations governing it will be determined by the field, not by social media.
6- Media warfare and engineering public opinion are an important part of war, and the Iranian nation is not affected by these tricks. Read the real and accurate news of the negotiations in the recent interview of the Foreign Ministry spokesman.
A senior official in the Trump administration tells US media that negotiations with Iran are expected to be held on Monday in Islamabad, reports Al Jazeera.
Essential Business Intelligence, Continuous LIVE TV, Sharp Market Insights, Practical Personal Finance Advice and Latest Stories — On NDTV Profit.
