New Delhi, Apr 18: Nearly a week after the failed talks in Islamabad, the US and Iran are back to the confrontational path, with American President Donald Trump talking about “dropping bombs again” and Iran announcing resumption of blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
The fresh developments indicate hardening of positions by both the warring sides, adding to worries in the countries around the world which have been hoping for early resumption of free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, particularly of the flow of energy.
“Maybe I won’t extend it, but the blockade (on Iranian ports) is going to remain,” Trump told reporters on board US Air Force One when asked about the prospects of the two-week ceasefire which ends on April 22.
“So, you have a blockade, and unfortunately we have to start dropping bombs again,” he went on to add.
He stated this while emphasising that a deal must be reached with Iran by April 22.
Soon after Trump’s threatening comments, Iran re-imposed restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz, reversing its earlier decision to reopen the critical waterway, and accused the US of violating a ceasefire.
Iran’s joint military command said that “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 US blockade of Iranian ports remained in effect.
On April 11 and 12 in Islamabad, during the first top-level direct talks in 47 years, both the US and Iran spelt out their conditions, which were mostly not acceptable to the other side.
Since those failed talks on April 11 and 12, there have been differing kinds of statements by both the US and Iran, creating a lot of confusion.
The main focus has been on the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy corridor that handles nearly 20 per cent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.
Although the US last night said the Strait of Hormuz has been “opened by Iran”, Tehran said spelt out certain conditions for it, particularly emphasising that navigation would be governed by the Iranian authorities.
The US has enforced a naval blockade targeting Iranian ports since mid-April, aiming to restrict maritime movement linked to Tehran.
American officials have said vessels attempting to enter or leave Iranian ports have been turned back under the enforcement regime. Iran, however, has condemned the move as illegal and provocative.
Iranian has suggested that any continued blockade could directly impact shipping access through Hormuz, raising concerns among global markets already sensitive to supply disruptions.
Trump’s latest comments underscore a widening gap between the two sides, even as both publicly signal openness to a deal.
The US president has repeatedly expressed optimism about reaching an agreement, while simultaneously warning of military consequences if talks collapse.
