Trump says US to keep up blockade, as Iran vows closed Hormuz until demands met

Trump says the US will maintain its blockade of Iranian ports, while Iran vows the Strait of Hormuz stays closed until its demands are met. Trump claims 'total control' over the strait, but Iran's authority denies this. Meanwhile, 26 nations condemn Iran's executions, and Pakistan's interior minister visits Iran for talks.

President Donald Trump declared Wednesday that the US will maintain its blockade of Iranian ports, while Iran reiterated that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until its demands are met. In a Truth Social post, Trump wrote that the US has 'total control' over the strait and that the naval blockade is called 'A WALL OF STEEL,' adding that Iran has no navy or air force and that its leadership is 'uncertain.' Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority responded on X that the strait remains blocked and will not reopen until Iran's conditions are accepted. The article notes that Trump has recently insulted Iran's leaders, after calling them reasonable less than two months ago when he signed a memorandum of understanding with Tehran. The US president is reportedly leaning toward declaring victory over Iran without a nuclear deal, which could keep global gas prices up. Additionally, 26 nations, later joined by others to 32, condemned Iran's use of capital punishment, saying it executes protesters to 'silence dissent.' Iran's foreign minister dismissed the criticism, accusing France of hypocrisy. The UN reports at least 56 executions since March 19 on national security charges, with over 100 more at risk. The article also mentions Pakistan's interior minister visiting Iran for talks on regional security.