Iran Tightens Strait of Hormuz, Demands US Blockade End for Talks

Abbas Araghchi, Iran's Foreign Minister, declared the United States' maximalist approach and dishonesty the primary obstacles to ending the US-Israeli war against Iran during a meeting with Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik in Tehran on May 12, 2026. Araghchi attributed the Strait of Hormuz crisis directly to American-Israeli military aggression and the US decision to maintain an illegal blockade of Iranian vessels and ports after President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire on April 7 but continued the blockade on April 13. Iran has tightened controls on the strategic waterway and refuses to return to negotiations until the US ceases aggression and lifts the blockade.

The conflict began on February 28 when the US and Israel launched unprovoked attacks that included the assassination of Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and strikes on nuclear and civilian infrastructure. Iran responded with Operation True Promise 4, deploying hundreds of missiles and drones. A Pakistan-brokered ceasefire has been in place since early April, but the US naval blockade persists, leaving the truce fragile. Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei characterized the conflict as a war between good and evil, accusing the aggressors of violating laws of war and targeting civilians.

Iran's Defense Ministry escalated warnings the same day, with Spokesman Brigadier General Reza Talaei-Nik stating that the US and Israel must accept the legitimate rights of the Iranian nation or face repeated diplomatic and military defeats. He warned the adversaries would remain trapped in a quagmire unless they yield to Iran's demands. Trump, ahead of a trip to China, claimed Iran's military had been decimated and vowed to win peacefully or otherwise. Norway expressed readiness to support diplomatic efforts and consultations on maritime safety and environmental protection.