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diplomacyApr 14, 2026

Saudi urges US to lift Hormuz blockade amid fears of Red Sea oil crisis

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Saudi urges US to lift Hormuz blockade amid fears of Red Sea oil crisis Saudi Arabia is urging the US to lift its Hormuz blockade and resume Iran talks, warning escalation could disrupt Red Sea routes and trigger wider global energy and shipping crises. Saudi Arabia is urging the United States to abandon its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and return to negotiations with Iran, warning that the strategy risks triggering a wider regional and economic crisis, according to a report by The Washington Post. Arab officials told the publication that Riyadh fears the blockade — ordered under Donald Trump — could provoke Tehran into retaliating beyond the Gulf, potentially disrupting other critical shipping routes. At the heart of Saudi concerns is the possibility that Iran could target the Bab al-Mandeb strait, a key Red Sea chokepoint through which much of the kingdom’s remaining oil exports flow. “If Iran does want to shut down Bab al-Mandeb, the Houthis are the obvious partner to do it,” said Adam Baron, a Yemen expert, noting that the group has already demonstrated its capacity during the Gaza conflict. The US blockade, which came into effect on Monday, is aimed at squeezing Iran’s already weakened economy after Tehran moved to shut the Strait of Hormuz earlier in the conflict. That closure has already halted around 13 million barrels of oil per day, pushing global crude prices above $100 per barrel and rattling energy markets worldwide. Saudi Arabia has managed to maintain exports of roughly seven million barrels a day by rerouting crude across the desert to Red Sea terminals. But that workaround could collapse if the Bab al-Mandeb corridor is also disrupted. Iran has signalled that such escalation is possible. Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, warned that Tehran views Bab al-Mandeb “in the same way it views Hormuz,” adding that any repeat of US “mistakes” could disrupt global trade flows. Iran’s armed forces issued a blunt warning: “If the security of Iran’s ports is threatened, no port will be safe.” PRESSURE BUILDS FOR DIPLOMACY The Saudi push reflects growing unease among Gulf states over the direction of the conflict. While they oppose Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz, they are equally wary of a prolonged confrontation that could damage their own economies. According to the The Washington Post report, Riyadh is now pressing Washington to prioritise diplomacy and reopen talks with Tehran, rather than escalate military pressure. The blockade followed failed weekend negotiations, with the White House defending the move as necessary to ensure free navigation. “President Trump has made clear that he wants the Strait of Hormuz fully open,” said White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly, adding that the US is acting to prevent Iran from “extorting” global energy flows. A FRAGILE BALANCE The crisis has exposed the vulnerability of global energy infrastructure, particularly in West Asia where nearly 20% of the world’s oil and LNG supplies pass through Hormuz. For years, Gulf states maintained a cautious balance with Iran to protect shared economic interests. That equilibrium now appears to be breaking down under the weight of military escalation. Saudi Arabia’s intervention highlights a key reality: while the US seeks to pressure Iran, even its closest regional allies fear the consequences of pushing too far.

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  • India Today World DeskBy India Today World Desk

    Saudi urges US to lift Hormuz blockade amid fears of Red Sea oil crisis Saudi Arabia is urging the US to lift its Hormuz blockade and resume Iran talks, warning escalation could disrupt Red Sea routes and trigger wider global energy and shipping crises. Saudi Arabia is urging the…

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Key points: Bitcoin diverges from US stocks as Trump says Strait of Hormuz “open” Data from TradingView showed BTC/USD building on the week’s gains as the S&P 500 bounced from 7,696, its lowest level since Aug. 4. BTC/USD four-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView This came after US president Donald Trump posted a map of the closed Strait of Hormuz oil route to Truth Social where it was labeled “new US territory.

” Both the US and Iran lay claim to control of Hormuz, with Trump threatening US ally Oman with military action over its plans to work with Iran on charging tolls to shipping traffic. In a subsequent post, Trump confirmed that further diplomacy with Iran was not on the agenda.

“There are no talks or conversations going on, or scheduled, with the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Naval Blockade remains in full force and effect. The Hormuz Strait is open and operating. All water mines have been removed or detonated,” he wrote. S&P 500 one-day chart.

Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView As on Monday, oil avoided major volatility, with WTI crude down 1% at the time of writing at $84 per barrel. US government bonds continued to show strain, with the 30-year yield hitting 5.34%, its highest since January 2007.

“Bond prices are sending warnings,” BNY Mellon analyst Geoff Yu wrote in a research note quoted by the New York Times. Yu said that the surge came as “investors demand more compensation for inflation risk,” while also attributing the upside to government borrowing.

US 30-year bond yields one-month chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView BTC price faces crunch rebound test Updating X followers on BTC/USD, trader and analyst Aksel Kibar eyed the culmination of a potential reverse head-and-shoulders pattern at $62,300.

Related: Bitcoin price spike to $64.5K was ‘low-volume liquidity trap’: Analysis “If $BTCUSD is going to rebound, it has to come from here,” he argued on Monday. Kibar offered a $53,000 target in the event of the head-and-shoulders structure failing, with $76,000 a potential upside target should the rebound sustain.

BTC/USD one-day chart. Source: Aksel Kibar on X.com Previously, Cointelegraph reported that underwater investors were contributing to Bitcoin’s inability to break higher. Its rebound to $64,500 also stopped short of an overhead trend line, the 50-month exponential moving average (EMA).

This moving average is now in place as resistance at $65,827.

Location: Strait of Hormuz
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Trump says no talks underway with Iran, Hormuz blockade remains in place US president says no discussions are taking place or planned with Tehran and reiterates that the naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz remains fully operational Washington: US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that no talks are taking place with Iran and that no discussions are currently scheduled between the two countries.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump also said the naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz remains "in full force and effect." The president did not provide further details regarding US policy towards Iran or any potential future diplomatic engagement.

Trump's comments come amid continued tensions between Washington and Tehran and renewed focus on security and navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important oil shipping routes.

Location: Tehran
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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tuesday that Iran had “won both the war and diplomacy,” claiming those who initially sought Tehran’s “unconditional surrender” later sought negotiations. Speaking at an event, Araghchi said Iran resisted for days against what he described as “the world’s largest apparent military,” alongside another army claiming military power and with the support of nearly all Western countries and some other states inside and outside the region, according to the Tasnim news agency.

“Those who were seeking unconditional surrender, shortly after the war began, begged for negotiations,” Araghchi said. He claimed Tehran initially rejected a ceasefire and continued fighting until reaching a point where the other side accepted a ceasefire and negotiations “on Iran’s terms.

” “We fought with strength, and we negotiated with strength,” he said, adding that many foreign ministers had told him: “You won both the war and diplomacy.” Araghchi’s remarks came after US President Donald Trump called on Iran on Monday to give up and “raise the white flag.

Location: Tehran
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- Iran demands US lift sanctions and return frozen assets to reopen Strait of Hormuz - Iran's Parliament Speaker warns closure of Strait continues until US ends military threats - Around 20% of global oil supply passes through the Strait, impacting energy security Iran has warned that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the US meets a set of conditions, including the release of frozen Iranian assets, an end to oil sanctions and what Tehran describes as a US blockade and military threats.

Al-Arabiya English reported that Iran's Parliament Speaker and top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the Trump administration must meet the conditions before Tehran considers reopening the strategic waterway. “Until the Trump regime removes the blockade, ends the wars across the region, returns Iran's stolen assets, lifts the oil sanctions, and ceases its military threats, the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed,” Ghalibaf said.

Until the Trump regime removes the blockade, ends the wars across the region, returns Iran's stolen assets, lifts the oil sanctions, and ceases its military threats, the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed. pic.twitter.com/fl2RrKnT1R— Seyed Mohammad Marandi (@s_m_marandi) August 18, 2026 Ghalibaf also warned that Iran was prepared to respond more forcefully depending on the actions of its adversaries.

ALSO READ: 'We Control Hormuz': Trump To Declare Strait As US Territory? Here's What President Says The comments add a new condition to an already fragile diplomatic environment, with the Strait of Hormuz at the centre of concerns over global energy supplies.

Around one-fifth of global oil supply typically passes through the waterway, making any prolonged disruption a major risk for crude markets, shipping and energy security. Earlier, Press TV reported that Ghalibaf is scheduled to travel to Baghdad on Wednesday at the head of a high-level Iranian delegation for discussions with Iraqi leaders.

The talks are expected to cover regional developments and bilateral cooperation, including border security, counterterrorism, economic ties and implementation of existing agreements. Iraqi media have also reported that the agenda could include a proposal concerning Iraqi oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz.

The visit comes as regional governments grapple with the implications of continued disruption in one of the world's most important energy corridors. ALSO READ: Hormuz Tensions: Another Ship Hit By Unknown Projectile, Says UKMTO Centre The security situation in the waterway has also remained tense.

The UK's Maritime Trade Operations agency, or UKMTO, said a vessel reported being struck by an unknown projectile while conducting an outbound transit of the Strait of Hormuz. “The Company Security Officer has reported that the vessel was struck by an unknown projectile while conducting an outbound transit of the Strait of Hormuz,” UKMTO said.

The impact damaged the vessel's engine room and resulted in a crew casualty, the agency said. The remaining crew was being assisted by the Omani coastguard. Essential Business Intelligence, Sharp Market Insights, Practical Personal Finance Advice, Daily Fuel, Gold and Silver Prices and Latest Stories — On NDTV Profit.

Location: Tehran