Reactions and statements from the international community
The IRGC Mahdi Awaiters in Isfahan Province announced on Thursday, April 16, that controlled explosions would take place in the eastern regions around Mahyar and Zardegan, leading to potential explosion sounds in the area.
Gholamhossein Mohseni Eje'i, head of the Islamic Republic's judiciary, questioned the outcome of the recent conflict between the United States and Iran during a meeting with judges and chief justices held in a secret location, stating, "They brought all this equipment, fighter jets and bombers—what was the end result?"
The Pakistani Foreign Ministry announced that no date has been set for the next round of talks between the United States and the Islamic Republic. It also stated that Lebanon remains part of the Iran war ceasefire and that peace in Lebanon is essential for ongoing peace negotiations.
French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian and U.S. President Donald Trump yesterday, urging the resumption of negotiations suspended in Islamabad, the respect of a ceasefire including Lebanon, and the unconditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. France and the United Kingdom will host a conference in Paris this Friday to discuss a multilateral mission aimed at restoring freedom of navigation in the strait.
Reports from Bushehr and Jam indicate that the IRGC conducted intense and sustained activity early morning (04:15 AM – 06:00 AM local time) to restore access to underground missile sites, with approximately 30 explosions recorded as crews worked to clear blocked tunnel entrances. The site has been targeted multiple times since February 28.
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi called on Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to restore "normal passage" in the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing the need to respect Iran's sovereignty and ensure the freedom and safety of shipping in the strategic waterway, according to China's Foreign Ministry. Beijing stressed that regional stability is of international importance and offered to help de-escalate tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.
IDF troops from the 769th Brigade, operating under the 91st Division in southern Lebanon, thwarted two attempted attacks by terrorist cells and eliminated them using drone and joint airstrikes, seizing weapons including Kalashnikov rifles, anti-tank rockets, RPG launchers, and uncovering an underground storage facility with mortar shells.
Mohammad Reza Aref, Pezeshkian's first deputy, criticized the White House leaders, alleging they have made the United States subservient to Israel, contrary to their "America First" slogan, and noted that the current leaders lack strategic planning compared to former President Trump.
Ali Nikzad, the Deputy Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, stated that the U.S. has declared it will intercept any ship passing through the Strait of Hormuz, which he described as "maritime piracy and robbery." Nikzad also asserted that the Strait of Hormuz is under the control of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Reuters reported that despite the U.S. maritime blockade of Iran's ports, a second U.S.-sanctioned supertanker with a capacity of two million barrels of oil passed through the Strait of Hormuz and entered the Persian Gulf on Wednesday, following the passage of the tanker Alicia the previous day.
The U.S. implemented a naval blockade against Iran and threatened secondary sanctions on countries purchasing Iranian oil, while calling on Gulf nations to freeze assets linked to Iranian officials and institutions. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced sanctions on more than 20 individuals, companies, and vessels associated with Iran’s oil infrastructure and warned that economic pressure would be equivalent to military attacks.
Stephen Miller, White House homeland security advisor, told Fox News that President Donald Trump is implementing a naval blockade of Iran's southern coasts to reset the world order, claiming it as a response to Iran's refusal of a U.S. ultimatum and subsequent military defeat.
