Reactions and statements from the international community
U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the naval blockade of Iran's southern ports and coasts will continue until a final agreement is reached with the Islamic Republic, rejecting Iran's previous statements about opening the strait.
President Donald Trump of the United States stated that he expects bombings against the Islamic Republic to occur, noting that the U.S. military is "eager" to begin such operations, which he initiated during his first term as president.
EU foreign ministers are examining the imposition of sanctions against those responsible for blocking maritime passage in the Strait of Hormuz during a meeting in Luxembourg. Lily Nikfar, reporter for Iran International, reports.
The Islamic Republic of Iran states it will not negotiate as long as the U.S. maintains a naval blockade. In response, President Trump declares the blockade will remain in place until a deal is reached.
The article suggests that if JD Vance is at an empty negotiation table due to the IRGC's refusal to participate, the United States should target and eliminate all regime figures and their deputies until a surrender is achieved.
President Trump has stated that a ceasefire in Iran does not erase the regime's actions in January and reiterates his commitment to aiding the Iranian people, declaring, "Help is on the way."
U.S. Central Command announced that since the start of the maritime blockade of Iran, it has prevented 27 Iranian ships from passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iraqi militants supported by the Islamic Republic have launched hundreds of explosive drones at Saudi Arabia and Kuwait over the past five weeks. Gulf countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, are reportedly considering strikes against Iranian-backed proxies in Iraq.
On April 21, 2026, the Deputy Governor of Hormozgan announced the completion of an operation to neutralize and conduct a controlled explosion of unexploded projectiles in Bandar Abbas. The IRGC also reported that controlled explosions were heard in the Soffeh area of Isfahan and will continue into the afternoon.
Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains restricted, with only 12 ships passing through in the past 24 hours, according to NBC News and MarineTraffic data. Four of these ships were flagged by the Islamic Republic, and most navigated through the route near Bandar Abbas approved by the Islamic Republic.
The Islamic Republic of Iran featured pink-colored missiles, drones, and weapons, along with women not wearing hijabs, in a government parade during a fragile ceasefire with the United States, as the clerical leadership navigates a period of significant uncertainty.
Tasnim News Agency, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, reported that the Islamic Republic's negotiating team continues to refuse participation in the Islamabad talks due to the ongoing maritime siege and what it deems as excessive demands from the United States. The agency also dismissed reports by American media that U.S. envoy David Satterfield (referred to as Vance) is traveling to Pakistan, accusing these reports of being fabricated to influence global oil prices and public opinion.
