CENTCOM: blockade of maritime traffic to Iranian ports begins Monday

Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and chief negotiator has mocked the US plan to blockade the Strait of Hormuz, warning Americans they may soon long for today’s fuel prices.

“Enjoy the current pump figures. With the so-called ‘blockade’, soon you'll be nostalgic for $4–$5 gas,” Ghalibaf wrote on X.

He accompanied the message with a mathematical note — (ΔO_BSOH>0 ⇒ f(f(O))>f(O)) — suggesting compounding effects from oil market disruptions tied to the geopolitical situation.

The comment appears to reference the expected ripple effects on energy markets if tensions around the Strait of Hormuz intensify.

A senior Iranian figure close to the country’s leadership has dismissed US threats to block Iran through the Strait of Hormuz, saying Tehran cannot be “besieged by tweets and imaginary plans.”

Mohsen Rezaei, a former IRGC chief and military adviser to supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei, appeared to respond to US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a plan to block the strategic waterway.

“Iran will not be besieged by tweets and imaginary plans,” Rezaei said, according to Iranian media.

He added that Iran’s armed forces would not permit such a move and have “major tools” to confront any attempt to impose a blockade.

Former Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif criticized US President Donald Trump’s plan to blockade the Strait of Hormuz in a post on X on Sunday.

“Blockading Hormuz — which is not blocked — to help global economy,” Zarif wrote. “Another ‘Art of the Deal’ Masterstroke?”

“The worst gamblers don't know when to leave a losing table,” he added.

The commander of the Iranian army's navy described US President Donald Trump’s remarks about blockading the Strait of Hormuz as “funny and ridiculous.”

“The Navy of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army has monitored and continues to monitor all movements of the US military in the region,” Shahram Irani added.

Trump said on Sunday that the US Navy would immediately begin blockading the Strait of Hormuz and interdict vessels that have paid tolls to Iran.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said he is working to stop the war between Israel and Hezbollah and secure the withdrawal of Israeli force.

“We will continue to work to stop this war, to ensure the Israeli withdrawal from all our lands, the return of all the prisoners, to rebuild our destroyed villages and towns, and the safe return of the displaced,” Salam said in a speech on the eve of the anniversary of the start of Lebanon’s 1975–1990 civil war.

“We are continuing our efforts… to negotiate to stop the war,” he added in the televised address ahead of planned talks on Tuesday in Washington between Lebanese, Israeli and US officials.