Iran tightens control of Strait of Hormuz, Trump warns against ‘blackmail’

InternationalIran tightens control of Strait of Hormuz, Trump warns against 'blackmail'By Reuters -Apr 19, 2026Iran said it was tightening control over the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, warning mariners the vital energy route was again closed, but President Donald Trump said Tehran could not blackmail the United ​States by shutting the waterway. Tehran said it was responding to a continued US blockade of Iranian ports, calling it a violation of their ceasefire, while Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said Iran’s navy ‌was ready to inflict “new bitter defeats” on its enemies. Shipping sources said at least two vessels reported coming under fire and being hit while trying to transit the waterway. India later said the Iranian ambassador in New Delhi had been summoned and that it had expressed deep concern to him that two Indian-flagged ships had come under fire in the strait. State media in Iran quoted the Supreme National Security Council as saying Iranian control over the strait included demanding the payment of costs related to security, safety and environmental protection services. State television also quoted ​the Supreme National Security Council as saying the US had put forward new proposals after talks mediated by Pakistan in recent days. Tehran was considering them but had not yet responded, it said. There was no ​immediate sign of direct US-Iran talks taking place at the weekend, despite Trump saying on Friday that negotiations would take place. UNCERTAINTY AROUND IRAN CONFLICT Tehran’s renewed tough messaging caused fresh ⁠uncertainty around the Iran conflict, raising the risk that oil and gas shipments through the strait could remain disrupted just as Washington weighs whether to extend the fragile ceasefire. Trump said the US was having “very good conversations” with Iran but ​that Tehran wanted to close the strait again. Iran could not blackmail the US, he said. Maritime security and shipping sources said some merchant vessels had received radio m...