Reactions and statements from the international community
European countries are developing a plan to form a broad coalition aimed at ensuring the freedom of shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Nearly 27 hours after the start of the Strait of Hormuz blockade, signs indicate the operation's complexity, with Reuters reporting the passage of four oil tankers linked to Iran, despite CENTCOM stating that no vessel has passed through the area without coordination.
Iran is 10 to 14 days away from reaching maximum oil storage capacity, after which oil wells must be shut down, exacerbating economic damage from the U.S. naval blockade that began on day 2, with several dozen Iranian ports now fully blocked by the U.S. Navy.
CENTCOM announced that over 10,000 U.S. military personnel, including approximately twelve warships and aircraft, are carrying out a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz to prevent ships from entering or exiting Iranian ports. In the first 24 hours, no ship was able to pass through the U.S. blockade.
Senator Lindsey Graham expressed hope that speculation about a ceasefire extension with Iran is unfounded, stating President Trump's position requires Iran to halt uranium enrichment, allow U.S. control over highly enriched uranium, open the Strait of Hormuz without interference, abandon long-range missile programs, and cease supporting regional terrorist groups. Graham warned that failing to reach such a deal could lead to further military action against Iran.
The United States Navy is continuing maritime blockade operations, turning back or diverting ships associated with the Islamic Republic of Iran near the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman. These actions are causing significant disruption to Iran's shipping activities in the region.
Hamidreza Haji Babai, Deputy Chairman of Iran's Parliament, warned that countries aligning with the US on sanctions will face restrictions and heavy costs for their ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
Simultaneously with the widespread presence of the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) and Fatemiyoun militias in the streets of Tehran, a senior Iraqi official told Iran International that 15,000 PMU forces have been deployed to Iran at the request of the IRGC.
Former Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammad-Javad Larijani stated that the American blockade is piracy and that Iran maintains control over the Strait of Hormuz, which will not change. He also warned that nuclear talks with the U.S. are a significant mistake.
The Kepler Institute reported that the IRGC has established a maritime traffic management and control center on Larak Island, where ships are required to submit identification documents and undergo physical inspections.
The U.S. Air Force has announced plans to extend the operational life of the AGM-86B nuclear cruise missile to 2033, entering into a contract with Boeing to refurbish up to 550 units of the missile's flight control surface system at a rate of 8 units per month from 2026 to 2033.
In a phone call lasting approximately 40 minutes, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Trump emphasized the necessity of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open and secure, discussing the latest developments in the Middle East and the importance of the strait for global economic stability. The call came after the announcement of a 2-week ceasefire between the United States and the Islamic Republic regime on April 8.
