Will the US lift the Hormuz blockade before an Iran deal? Trump says no

Weather ePaper Today’s Paper Journalism of Courage Home ePaper Politics Explained Opinion India Business Premium Cities UPSC Entertainment Sports World Lifestyle Tech Subscribe Sign In TrendingUPSC OfferIPL 2026US NewsPuzzles & GamesLegal NewsFresh TakeHealthResearch🎙️ Podcast Advertisement NewsWorldUS NewsWill the US lift the Hormuz blockade before an Iran deal? Trump says no Will the US lift the Hormuz blockade before an Iran deal? Trump says no The US also seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship after it tried to pass through the blockade. By: Express Global Desk 3 min readApr 21, 2026 05:28 AM IST First published on: Apr 21, 2026 at 05:28 AM IST Make us preferred source on Google Share Comments Bookmark Bookmark Print Share Whatsapp twitter Facebook President Donald Trump listens in the Oval Office of the White House. (Photo: AP) US President Donald Trump has said Washington will not lift its blockade on Iranian ports until a deal is reached with Tehran, the BBC reports, as uncertainty remains over fresh peace talks. Writing on his platform Truth Social, Trump said the blockade was “absolutely destroying Iran” and added that the US was “winning the conflict by a lot.” The comments come as a temporary ceasefire between the US and Iran is due to end on Wednesday, with no clear confirmation yet on whether a second round of talks will take place in Islamabad. The blockade began a week ago, with US forces turning back vessels attempting to reach Iranian ports. US Central Command said 27 ships have been redirected so far. The US also seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship after it tried to pass through the blockade. Videos released by the military showed warnings being issued before troops boarded the vessel. Iran has called the move an “act of piracy” and said it breaches the ceasefire. At the same time, Tehran has kept its own restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments. The passage was briefly reopened but shut again after reports of vessels being targeted. Trump said Iran had “decided to fire bullets” and described it as a “total violation” of the ceasefire, the BBC adds. Iran has said it will not reopen the route unless the US ends its blockade. There are mixed signals over whether talks will take place in Pakistan. US Vice President JD Vance is expected to lead the American delegation, but he has not yet left Washington. Iran has said it has “no plans” so far to attend, according to the BBC. After the first round of talks earlier this month, Vance said the US “could not get to a situation where the Iranians were willing to accept our terms”. Iran’s foreign ministry has urged the US to avoid what it called “excessive demands and unlawful requests”. Despite uncertainty, preparations are under way in Islamabad. Guests at a hotel that hosted the earlier talks have been asked to leave, and roads around the area have been closed due to expected foreign delegations. A senior Pakistani official told Reuters that efforts are ongoing to bring both sides to the table. BBC Chief International Correspondent Lyse Doucet said from Tehran that “there is one rule in diplomacy… you don’t want to be the one blamed for something breaking down”. She added that if Vance travels to Islamabad, “it will be really hard for the Iranians to not show up”. Diplomatic efforts are continuing, with Pakistan trying to ensure both sides attend as the venue and security arrangements are already in place. The Express Global Desk at The Indian Express delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read More