Reactions and statements from the international community
A senior Iranian official stated that Tehran will not negotiate over its defense capabilities, including its missile program, citing unresolved nuclear disagreements and the U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz as impediments to talks.
The Islamic regime in Iran is disrupting new negotiations with the United States, which were scheduled to resume in Islamabad on April 21 to discuss extending a ceasefire set to expire on April 22. Iranian state media and the foreign ministry spokesperson have indicated that Iran has "no plans" to participate in the talks.
Reuters, citing a senior Iranian official, reported that disputes over the nuclear program remain unresolved and the gaps have not narrowed. The official also stated that the U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz weakens the negotiations.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei accused the United States of sabotaging diplomacy and called the attack on an Iranian commercial ship an “act of aggression,” citing Washington's actions in Lebanon and attempts to impose a naval blockade on Iran as violations of ceasefire agreements.
Iran is considering legislation that would ban Israeli-linked ships from the Strait of Hormuz, require hostile nations to obtain Security Council approval for transit, and impose fees on all passing vessels, with 30% of the revenue allocated to fund the IRGC and armed forces. Countries deemed to have "caused damage" to Iran would be blocked until compensation is paid, according to Fars News.
Israel's Channel 11 reported that ongoing negotiations between Tehran and Washington are hindered by difficulties in communicating with Mojtaba Khamenei, leading to inconsistent positions from the Islamic Republic, including hardline stances from the Revolutionary Guards and divergent views from Araghchi and Pezeshkian. A Middle East source informed Channel 11 that a ceasefire between the United States and Iran is expected to be extended for an indefinite period.
The Islamic Republic Football Federation, the Ministry of Sports, and the Revolutionary Guards have initiated a joint project since the final week of Bahman 1404 (Gregorian date: late February 2025) to ensure the stands are filled for matches hosted by Iran's football team in the 2026 World Cup.
Masoud Pezeshkian, during his visit to the Ministry of Justice, stated that there are shortages in energy and fuel which must be managed through precise planning and public cooperation. He also emphasized the importance of honesty in sharing both achievements and challenges with the public to maintain trust.
On Monday, global oil prices rose in Asian markets after U.S. President Donald Trump announced the interception and seizure of an Iranian-flagged cargo ship, coinciding with Iran's declaration to close the Strait of Hormuz to commercial vessels. Brent crude increased by 4.74 percent to $94.66 per barrel, and West Texas Intermediate crude climbed by 5.6 percent to $88.55.
Richard Marles, Australia's Defense Minister, described the re-closure of the Strait of Hormuz as "disappointing" and stressed the importance of diplomatic solutions to reduce tensions, according to a report by Alireza Mohammadi of Iran International.
Goldie Ghamari advises Adrian, a follower, to refrain from commenting on the situation in Iran unless they have firsthand experience of living under a brutal dictatorship, referencing extreme forms of state violence. Ghamari emphasizes that Iranians are not seeking war but are desperate to escape the oppressive regime that has governed for 47 years.
Bloomberg News reported that European natural gas prices surged 11 percent to €43 per megawatt-hour in early Asian trading on Monday due to the Islamic Republic's renewed closure of the Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns over potential disruptions to energy flows from the Persian Gulf.
