The Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, accused US President Donald Trump of spreading false information regarding the status of the Strait of Hormuz, warning that the strategic waterway will not be considered “fully open” under a continued American blockade.
In a statement on X on Friday, April 17, Ghalibaf claimed that Trump made “seven statements in one hour,” all of which were untrue. The Iranian official emphasized that as long as the US naval blockade persists, vessels will be required to follow specific routes and obtain permission from Tehran to pass. “With these lies, they did not win the war and will certainly achieve nothing in negotiations,” Ghalibaf stated.
The escalation comes as UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced that the UK, France, and other international partners have developed a joint plan to protect freedom of navigation. Speaking in Paris alongside leaders from France, Germany, and Italy, Starmer confirmed that more than 10 countries are ready to contribute resources to a multinational defense mission.
“It’s good news that the Strait of Hormuz has now reopened. This must be a long-lasting and workable solution, without tolls or restrictions on routes,” Starmer wrote on X. He added that a military planning conference will be held in London next week to finalize the details of the mission, Reuters reported.
The international mobilization follows a period of intense volatility. On Friday, April 17, Trump claimed on Truth Social that the Strait was “fully open” following an announcement from Tehran. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had previously stated that passage for commercial vessels was “completely open” for the duration of a temporary ceasefire linked to the Israel-Lebanon conflict.
However, the situation remains complex. While Trump welcomed the reopening for global shipping, he clarified that a specific US naval blockade targeting vessels linked to Iran remains in effect until a broader agreement with Tehran is reached. His comments suggest that, in practice, commercial traffic may be allowed to pass while ships leaving or heading to Iran remain restricted.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical global energy route, and its disruption over recent weeks has contributed to significant volatility in energy markets. The upcoming London conference will be a major step in determining whether a permanent ceasefire and stable navigation can be maintained, as no independent confirmation of a full reopening has yet been established.