Iran reimposes restrictions on Strait of Hormuz, accusing US of violating deal to reopen it
President Donald Trump said in an interview with Fox Business this morning he believes the war is very close to over despite the administration’s continuing blockade and increasing economic pressure. The US military continues to enforce *** naval blockade on Iran. In ports in the Strait of Hormuz while upping economic pressure on Iran with sanctions targeting the country and any other nation with ties to Iranian assets and money, the administration says it will be as serious as its military efforts, *** very stern measure. And the Iranians should know that this is going to be the financial equivalent of what we saw in the kinetic activities. Despite that, the White House says it’s optimistic about the prospects of *** deal as the US reportedly spoke with Iran about *** second round of ceasefire. negotiations. Though nothing has been formally scheduled yet, but time is running thin. The current ceasefire is expected to end in less than *** week, and White House Press secretary Caroline Levitt says the US hasn’t formally made *** request for *** ceasefire extension. While Americans continue to feel pain at the pump, the White House says it will be worth long-term national and international security. This is *** short term disruption for the long-term strategic goal of the United States to ensure that the world’s leading state sponsor of terror cannot obtain *** nuclear weapon. Three main sticking points remain in these negotiations, including uranium enrichment, the Strait of Hormuz, and compensation to Iran for wartime damages. Reporting at the White House, I’m Amy Liu.
Iran reimposes restrictions on Strait of Hormuz, accusing US of violating deal to reopen it
Updated: 2:47 AM MDT Apr 18, 2026
Iran swiftly reversed course on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, reimposing restrictions on the critical waterway Saturday after the U.S. said the move would not end its blockade.Related video above: Pentagon warns Iran as ceasefire deadlines nearThe country’s joint military command said Saturday that its “control of the Strait of Hormuz has returned to its previous state … under strict management and control of the armed forces.” It warned that it would continue to block transit through the strait as long as the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports remained in effect.The announcement came the morning after U.S. President Donald Trump said the American blockade “will remain in full force” until Tehran reaches a deal with the U.S., including on its nuclear program.
CAIRO —
Iran swiftly reversed course on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, reimposing restrictions on the critical waterway Saturday after the U.S. said the move would not end its blockade.
Related video above: Pentagon warns Iran as ceasefire deadlines near
The country’s joint military command said Saturday that its “control of the Strait of Hormuz has returned to its previous state … under strict management and control of the armed forces.” It warned that it would continue to block transit through the strait as long as the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports remained in effect.
The announcement came the morning after U.S. President Donald Trump said the American blockade “will remain in full force” until Tehran reaches a deal with the U.S., including on its nuclear program.