President Donald Trump accused Iran of violating a ceasefire by opening fire on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, as the two sides clashed over control of the strategic waterway and prepared for a new round of negotiations expected this week in Pakistan.
Accused violation in the strait
Trump posted on Truth Social that Iranian forces had opened fire in the strait, which carries about one-fifth of the world's oil supply.
"Iran decided to fire bullets yesterday in the Strait of Hormuz," Trump wrote. "A total violation of our ceasefire agreement." He added that the shots targeted vessels including a French ship and a United Kingdom freighter.
According to Al Jazeera, Iran reasserted control over the Strait of Hormuz on April 18, declaring it would remain closed until the U.S. lifted its naval blockade of Iranian vessels and ports, which began on April 13.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy announced the reversal in a statement, warning that “no vessel of any kind should move from its anchorage in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, and approaching the Strait of Hormuz will be considered cooperation with the enemy, and the offending vessel will be targeted,” according to the report.
Iran’s parliamentary speaker and top negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said the strait “is under the control of the Islamic Republic” and called the U.S. blockade “a clumsy and ignorant decision.”
Seizure of Iran ship
Trump also detailed the seizure of the Iranian-flagged cargo ship TOUSKA in the Gulf of Oman.
"The U.S. Navy Guided Missile Destroyer USS SPRUANCE intercepted the TOUSKA," he wrote on Truth Social.
"They gave them fair warning to stop. The Iranian crew refused to listen." He said, "So our Navy ship stopped them right in their tracks by blowing a hole in the engine room. Right now, U.S. Marines have custody of the vessel."
Trump noted that the vessel was already under U.S. Treasury sanctions for prior illegal activity and said crews were examining its cargo. The incident marked the first reported boarding by U.S. forces since the blockade took effect.
Plans for negotiations in Pakistan
Trump also announced that U.S. negotiators would head to Islamabad, Pakistan, on April 20 for a new round of talks aimed at extending the cease-fire, which is set to expire April 22.
"We're offering a very fair and reasonable deal," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "I hope they take it because, if they don't, the United States is going to knock out every single power plant, and every single bridge, in Iran." He added, "No more Mr. Nice Guy!"
Trump named Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner as members of the U.S. delegation, with reports indicating Vice President JD Vance may also attend.
Iran pushed back against the announcement. State media reported that Tehran had not agreed to any specific date for talks and insisted the U.S. must first end the naval blockade, according to Al Jazeera. Iran's parliamentary speaker and chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said discussions had shown some progress but remained far from a breakthrough, with significant gaps on key issues including Iran's nuclear program.