Iran Restricts Hormuz Again as Trump Maintains Blockade

• Iran moves to restrict Strait of Hormuz access again, raising global shipping risks.
• Trump says blockade will remain, hints at possible military action if no deal after ceasefire ends.
• Markets react as gold and Bitcoin rise, while uncertainty over oil routes keeps volatility elevated.

Tensions between the United States and Iran strengthened after fresh statements from Iran’s parliament speaker and new comments from U.S. President Donald Trump.

Iran Pushes Back on Trump’s Claims

In a tweet, Iran’s Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf strongly rejected recent remarks by Trump, saying the U.S. president made “seven claims in one hour, all of which were false.”

He added that the United States had not achieved victory and would not gain leverage in negotiations through misinformation. Ghalibaf also warned that continued U.S. pressure could directly impact global shipping routes.

According to him, if the U.S. blockade continues, the Strait of Hormuz “will not remain open”. He stressed that any vessel movement through the route would require Iranian authorization and must follow the designated paths set by Tehran.

He further noted that decisions about whether the strait stays open would be determined “on the ground,” not through “social media”, dismissing attempts to influence public opinion through information warfare.

Trump Says Blockade Will Stay

Trump, speaking in interviews and to reporters, maintained that the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports and vessels will remain in place, even if the current ceasefire expires.

He said Iran has “agreed to everything” in ongoing discussions, including cooperation on removing enriched uranium. However, Iranian officials have denied that any such transfer will take place.

The U.S. president also suggested that without a lasting agreement, military action could resume after the ceasefire deadline on April 22. The blockade, which began earlier in the week, has already forced at least 21 ships to turn back, according to U.S. Central Command.

Hormuz Access Reversed as Iran Moves to Restrict Strait Again

While Iranian officials had earlier declared the Strait of Hormuz “completely open” during the ceasefire, recent comments signal a shift toward renewed restrictions on access.

In a latest update, Iranian authorities have again moved to restrict access to the Strait of Hormuz, raising fresh concerns over global shipping routes.

The strait is one of the world’s most important oil routes, and any disruption has immediate global consequences. Recent easing of tensions, including the reopening announcement, helped push oil prices down sharply, improving sentiment across financial markets.

Markets React: Gold, Bitcoin, and Risk Assets Rise

Global markets responded quickly to the shifting geopolitical backdrop.

Gold prices climbed, with spot gold rising about 1.5% to around $4,861 per ounce, supported by a weaker U.S. dollar and reduced inflation fears following the drop in oil prices.

At the same time, Bitcoin surged, gaining nearly 5% in 24 hours to trade above $78,300. The rally was driven largely by improved risk sentiment after the Hormuz reopening.

Bitcoin’s movement has closely tracked equities, particularly the S&P 500, which recently recorded its fastest recovery since 1982. Analysts note a strong correlation between the two, highlighting how macro events are increasingly shaping crypto price action.

What Comes Next

With Iran now moving to restrict the Strait of Hormuz again and the ceasefire nearing expiration, markets face renewed uncertainty after a brief period of optimism.

The key issue is no longer just whether the strait will remain open, but how prolonged or severe the disruption could become. Any sustained restriction could quickly reverse recent gains and trigger fresh volatility across oil, gold, and cryptocurrencies.

Related: Iran Warns Strait of Hormuz Could Close Again if US Blockade Continues