Donald Trump: US will not lift Hormuz blockade until deal made with Iran Trump says US will not lift Hormuz blockade until deal made with Iran 13 hours ago Sofia Ferreira Santos Can Iran and the US find middle ground to make a deal?
What is confirmed: The US will not lift its blockade on Iranian ports until a deal has been reached with Tehran, US President Donald Trump has said, amid continuing uncertainty over whether fresh talks to end the war will take place. The blockade, which began a week ago, is "absolutely destroying Iran", Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social, adding his country was winning the conflict "by a lot". But US Vice President JD Vance - set to lead the US delegation - has not yet left Washington, while Iran says it has not decided whether to attend. Videos shared by Centcom were said to show the ship being warned before troops abseiled onto the vessel.
What is still unclear: Tehran will never cede control of Strait of Hormuz, senior Iranian politician tells BBC US blockade of Iranian ports explained in two minutes Since the blockade began, US forces have directed 27 vessels to turn around or return to an Iranian port, according to US Central Command (Centcom).
Source: BBC World. Published: Mon, 20 Apr 2026 21:52:12 GMT.