On April 20 local time, a spokesperson for the Central Headquarters of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran’s Armed Forces stated that the United States violated the ceasefire agreement by opening fire on an Iranian merchant vessel in the Gulf of Oman, dispatching multiple soldiers to board its deck, disabling its navigation system, and committing the crime of "maritime piracy."
Earlier that day, Trump posted on social media that a U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer intercepted the Iranian container ship TOUSKA (IMO 9328900, 4,795 TEU, built in 2008) in the Gulf of Oman as it attempted to break through the U.S. maritime blockade, fired at it, punctured its engine room, and forced it to stop. The U.S. Marine Corps has now taken control of the vessel. AIS data shows the MV TOUSKA has been in an "uncontrolled" status since 22:02 UTC on April 19 (approximately 10 hours prior).
Iran Designates New Shipping Route in Strait of Hormuz, No Passage Without Permission
According to a report by the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) on April 19, the naval force of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has designated a new shipping route stretching from south of Hormuz Island to south of Larak Island. The route has been named the Larak Corridor, and no vessels may pass through it without authorization from the IRGC Navy.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry: Unconditional Transit Through Strait of Hormuz "Is Now History"
In the early hours of April 19, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani stated that the moment U.S. and Israeli aggression brought U.S. military forces to the vicinity of the Strait of Hormuz, unconditional transit through the strait "became history."
Responding to EU officials’ calls for Iran to abide by international law and unconditionally open the Strait of Hormuz, Kanaani posted on social media that while the EU preaches "international law" to other countries, it condones aggression by the U.S. and Israel and turns a blind eye to atrocities against the Iranian people. He added that Europe’s so-called calls for adherence to "international law" have devolved into a hypocritical performance of saying one thing and doing another, exposing the long-standing double standards in European policy.
Kanaani emphasized that no provisions in existing international law prohibit Iran, as a coastal state of the Strait of Hormuz, from taking necessary measures to prevent the strait from being used for military aggression against Iran.
Iran: No Negotiations As Long As Maritime Blockade Exists
According to Iranian sources on April 19, Iran has not yet decided to send a negotiating delegation to the U.S. and will not enter negotiations as long as the maritime blockade remains in place.
Earlier, Trump posted on social media that a U.S. negotiating delegation would arrive in Islamabad on the evening of April 20 (U.S. time) to participate in talks.
U.S. and Iran Accuse Each Other of Ceasefire Violations; Trump Threatens "Further Action"
On April 19 local time, Trump posted on Truth Social that Iran’s recent firing in the Strait of Hormuz "fully violates the ceasefire agreement."
Trump stated that the U.S. is proposing a "fair and reasonable agreement" and hopes Iran will accept it. He warned that if Iran rejects the deal, the U.S. will "destroy all of Iran’s power plants and bridges," adding that Washington "will no longer show restraint" and will "take appropriate action" if necessary.
Iran Says It Is Fully Prepared for Renewed Hostilities
Iranian sources confirmed on April 19 that Iran is fully prepared for a resumption of war and, if conflict reignites, will inflict an unforgettable "hellish moment" on its enemies.
Iran assesses that the likelihood of renewed fighting is higher than continued negotiations and has made comprehensive preparations. Should war break out and Iranian infrastructure come under attack, Iran will completely abandon previous restraints regarding energy facilities and companies in regional states, including the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, Saudi Aramco, Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu Heavy Industrial Park, and the Port of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates.