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Trump says Iran cannot 'blackmail us' with Strait of Hormuz
Iran said ships must pay for security and environmental protection as at least two vessels reported coming under fire in the strait, officials said.
- On Saturday, April 18, 2026, Iran reinstated strict military control over the Strait of Hormuz, demanding vessel information and fees while accusing the U.S. of violating the ceasefire agreement through its maritime blockade.
- President Donald Trump rejected Tehran's actions, stating "they can't blackmail us" after Iran claimed the U.S. blockade of its ports violated truce terms, marking a return to this familiar closure tactic.
- Shipping sources and the UK Maritime Trade Operations reported at least two vessels came under fire from Iran's Revolutionary Guard, prompting India to summon Iran's ambassador over attacks on Indian-flagged ships.
- Iran's Supreme National Security Council now requires vessels to provide complete information and pay fees for security and environmental services before receiving a certificate of passage through the waterway.
- Saeed Khatibzadeh, Iran's deputy foreign minister, stated no date is set for new negotiations until a framework is agreed upon, emphasizing Tehran will not hand over its enriched uranium stockpile.
23 Articles
23 Articles
Trump Says Iran Cannot 'Blackmail Us' with Strait of Hormuz
US President Donald Trump on Saturday warned Iran not to "blackmail" Washington with its flip-flopping on the fate of the Strait of Hormuz, after Tehran declared the strategic waterway once again closed. "We're talking to them. They wanted to close up the strait again -- you know, as they've been doing for years -- and they can't blackmail us," Trump said at a White House event. Trump said there would be "some information" about Iran later in th…
Trump: Iran ‘Can’t Blackmail Us’
President Trump hit back at Iran after the country’s military said it was closing the Strait of Hormuz again. “They wanted to close up the strait again…as they've been doing for years,” Trump told reporters on Saturday morning at the White House. “They can't blackmail us.” Earlier in his remarks, T
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