Reactions and statements from the international community
The U.S. has initiated a naval blockade on Iran, targeting all vessels entering and exiting Iranian ports across the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, expected to cause daily losses of approximately $435 million to Iran’s exports.
On Monday, Masoud Pezeshkian, an Iranian opposition figure, posted on X (formerly Twitter) to Pope Leo XIV, condemning insults to the Pope and declaring the desecration of Jesus unacceptable. Earlier, Donald Trump had criticized Pope Leo XIV, describing him as "weak" and "disastrous" and urging the Pope to focus on his religious role rather than politics.
The U.S. Central Command announced that a maritime blockade will be implemented in the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea east of the Strait of Hormuz in 30 minutes, affecting all ships departing from Iranian ports. Vessels have been warned that unauthorized entry or exit may result in interception, diversion, or seizure.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, criticized the Islamic Republic for threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz, warning that such actions would cause severe damage and stressing the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation in the region.
As the deadline for a maritime blockade set by "Donald Trump" approaches at 5:30 PM on Monday, April 13, 2025, Iranian domestic media report an uptick in Tehran's diplomatic activities in the region.
The United States announced it would begin a naval blockade of Iran's ports in the Strait of Hormuz starting from Monday afternoon. Concurrently, the Israeli army declared it is on high alert with no change to the Home Front Command's civilian guidelines.
Masoud Pezeshkian, the head of the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, stated that the country has no designs on other nations' rights but will defend its own rights with resolve and firmness, relying on its defensive capabilities and national unity.
His Majesty Reza Shah II addressed the Swedish Parliament, stating that a revolution against the 1979 Islamic Republic regime is underway and emphasizing that the Iranian people are fighting for freedom, not a new nuclear deal. He highlighted that the current struggle in Iran is between the regime and the freedom-seekers, with the Iranian people determining their country's future.
Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif stated that there is still a possibility of resuming talks between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran, following the failure of recent negotiations in Islamabad after 21 rounds of discussions.
The U.S. military has informed shipping companies that it will enforce a blockade on all maritime traffic in the eastern part of the Strait of Hormuz, effective immediately. However, humanitarian shipments such as food and medical supplies will be exempt from the blockade if they undergo inspection.
At a cabinet meeting, Benjamin Netanyahu stated that U.S. Vice President JD Vance informed him that the United States cannot tolerate violations of the ceasefire by the Islamic Republic and that President Trump has ordered a naval blockade of Iran following the failure to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as agreed.
A 22-year-old Iranian spy named Gaidarov operated a makeshift lab in two apartments in Haifa, producing approximately 10 kilograms of TATP (triacetone triperoxide) to plan and execute bus bombings and other attacks against public figures and crowded civilian locations. In one test, Gaidarov and an accomplice detonated an improvised explosive device in an underground parking lot and fled due to the blast.
