BlockBeats News, April 14 – The U.S. maritime blockade on Iran officially took effect last night local time, with over 15 warships deployed, and U.S. forces simultaneously began intercepting vessels entering and exiting the Strait of Hormuz. Trump claimed that 158 Iranian naval vessels had been destroyed and warned that any “fast attack boats” approaching the blockade zone would be immediately eliminated. Meanwhile, shipping data shows tankers have largely diverted around the Strait of Hormuz, halting traffic through the strait again, and the International Energy Agency confirmed that the conflict in Iran has damaged more than 80 oil and gas facilities.
Iran responded firmly. The acting defense minister announced that armed forces have been placed on the highest alert level, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stated that if the conflict continues, new combat methods would be employed. The Iranian military further declared it would implement a “permanent mechanism for controlling the Strait of Hormuz” and issued a warning: if the security of ports in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman is threatened, the security of all ports in the region will be “either for everyone or for no one.” Regarding Trump’s blockade threat, the spokesperson for Iran’s Supreme National Security Council dismissed it as “bluff.”
Diplomatic mediation is underway concurrently. U.S. and Iranian officials confirmed that negotiations are still ongoing, with the key disagreement being the duration of uranium enrichment suspension—the U.S. demands 20 years, while Iran hopes for a shorter period. Russian media revealed that the next round of talks may take place on the 16th in Islamabad, Pakistan, and Pakistan’s defense minister also indicated that prospects for restarting negotiations still exist. Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi has spoken with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov to coordinate on the latest developments. Notably, Iran’s deputy parliament speaker disclosed that Iran had been prepared to dilute 450 kilograms of enriched uranium as a goodwill gesture.
In the Lebanon direction, Israel continues airstrikes in southern Lebanon, resulting in at least 7 deaths. The Israeli military simultaneously announced an expansion of military operations, claiming to have killed over a hundred Hezbollah fighters, and is seeking to establish a deeper security buffer zone. The Israeli prime minister stated that the ceasefire with Iran “may end soon” and publicly supported Trump’s blockade stance. The Hezbollah leader declared they would not disarm and would continue resistance. Lebanon’s foreign minister indicated that direct Lebanon-Israel negotiations have confirmed that the Lebanese issue is independent of the Iranian issue, with both tracks advancing in parallel.
