The spokesperson for the unified command of the Iranian armed forces considered that the United States imposing restrictions on ships in international waters is illegal and constitutes piracy.

On Monday, a blockade announced by the United States on Iranian ports is set to begin after the failure of negotiations between the two sides in Islamabad, which led to a rise in oil prices.

According to Washington, the blockade begins at 14:00 GMT and targets all ships heading to or departing from Iranian ports.

US President Donald Trump confirmed the timing and wrote on Truth Social: The United States will impose a blockade on ships entering and leaving Iranian ports starting April 13 at 10:00 am Washington time.

Iranian official media quoted the unified command as saying: “The ports of the Gulf are either for everyone or for no one,” adding: “We will firmly implement a permanent mechanism to control the Strait of Hormuz in the wake of US threats.”

What about Bab al Mandab?

In turn, a source familiar with the matter told the Tasnim News Agency that any miscalculation by Trump could place the flow of global energy and trade in a critical and decisive confrontation.

The source said that “this kind of threat from Trump no longer has any impact or credibility; if these threats were effective, Trump would not have desperately sought a ceasefire amid the fighting.”

He added that “such positions do not contribute to solving issues. Trump should be concerned that these reckless actions and continued threats could also lead to a loss of control over Bab al Mandab, which would place energy and global trade transport in that region under even greater and more costly challenges.”

While the door remains open to the possibility of resuming negotiations, Washington and Tehran exchanged accusations over responsibility for the failure of talks in Islamabad.

Trump blamed Iran for refusing to abandon its pursuit of nuclear weapons, which Tehran denies. He also said that returning to the negotiating table does not matter to him.

Iran, meanwhile, said it was “only a few steps away” from an agreement. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said, “We faced hardline positions, shifting goals, and blockade.”