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diplomacyApr 13, 2026

Trump taunts Iran's 'blackmail' with 34 ship Hormuz crossing: 'Won't be pleasant for them'

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Trump taunts Iran's 'blackmail' with 34 ship Hormuz crossing: 'Won't be pleasant for them' WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Monday, April 13, issued a fresh warning to Iran while addressing rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route. Speaking during a White House briefing, Trump accused Tehran of “blackmailing the world” and signaled potential consequences if a nuclear deal was not reached. His remarks came as maritime traffic surged through the strait and reports emerged of tankers turning away following a US blockade. Iranian officials, meanwhile, cautioned that foreign intervention could deepen instability in global energy markets. Trump warns of consequences and claims Iran open to deal During remarks at the White House, Trump declined to detail specific actions if negotiations with Iran failed but indicated a strong response. “I don't want to comment on that, but it won't be pleasant for them, let me put it that way,” he said when asked about the outcome if a deal was not reached by the end of the ceasefire period. Trump reiterated his administration’s core demand, stating, “Iran will not have a nuclear weapon... If they don't agree, there's no deal. There'll never be a deal.” .@POTUS: "Iran will not have a nuclear weapon... If they don't agree, there's no deal. There'll never be a deal. Iran will not have a nuclear weapon and we're going to get the dust back — either we'll get it back from them or we'll take it." pic.twitter.com/SNani9M8hT— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 13, 2026 He added, “Iran will not have a nuclear weapon, and we're going to get the dust back, either we'll get it back from them, or we'll take it.” He also suggested that diplomatic engagement might still be possible, noting that he had received communication from Iranian representatives. “They would like to work a deal,” Trump said, adding that he believes Tehran could ultimately agree to US conditions. .@POTUS: "We can't let a country blackmail or extort the world because that’s what they’re doing, they’re really blackmailing the world. We’re not going to let that happen."— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 13, 2026 "And many ships are heading to our country right now as we speak to load up with the best [oil]..." pic.twitter.com/8gCGjZiHX1 Framing Iran’s handling of the Strait of Hormuz as a broader global threat, Trump said, “We can't let a country blackmail or extort the world because that’s what they’re doing, they’re really blackmailing the world. We’re not going to let that happen.” He also pointed to maritime activity as a sign of ongoing oil flows despite tensions. April 13, 2026 “And many ships are heading to our country right now as we speak to load up with the best (oil)...” Trump said, adding in a post on Truth Social that as many as “34 ships went through the Strait of Hormuz yesterday, which is by far the highest number since this foolish closure began.” Iran warns of escalation as tankers alter routes Iranian officials responded by warning that increased foreign military involvement in the Strait of Hormuz could worsen instability. A defense ministry spokesperson said such actions “would escalate the crisis and instability in global energy security,” according to state media. IRAN DEFENCE MINISTRY SPOX: ANY MILITARY INTERVENTION BY FOREIGN POWERS IN THE SECURITY OF THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ WOULD ESCALATE THE CRISIS AND INSTABILITY IN GLOBAL ENERGY SECURITY. - PRESS TV— RedboxGlobal (@RedboxWire) April 13, 2026 “Iran, based on clear and logical principles, is responsible for the security and management of the Strait of Hormuz,” the spokesperson said, adding that Tehran “will not allow any interference or aggression by US or other foreign forces.” The statement further warned of a decisive response “to any aggressor, including Israel and the United States, in the Strait of Hormuz and elsewhere.” At least two oil and chemical tankers reportedly altered their routes after the US blockade began. One vessel, carrying oil and initially bound for China, turned back shortly after entering the area, according to maritime tracking data. Another tanker, also partially loaded, similarly reversed course.

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  • Deepanjali SharmaBy Deepanjali Sharma

    Trump taunts Iran's 'blackmail' with 34 ship Hormuz crossing: 'Won't be pleasant for them' WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Monday, April 13, issued a fresh warning to Iran while addressing rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route. Speaking…

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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