Tehran: President Masoud Pezeshkian has emphasized that the naval blockade is an extension of military operations against a nation paying the price for its independence. In a post on his X account on Thursday, Pezeshkian said, 'The world has witnessed Iran's tolerance and conciliation. What is being done under the guise of a naval blockade is an extension of military operations against a nation paying the price for its resistance and independence.' He added, 'Continuation of this oppressive approach is intolerable.'

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Iran took control of the Strait of Hormuz in the early days of the war that began on February 28, as part of its response to US-Israeli attacks, banning the passage of ships belonging to adversaries and any country assisting them. On April 8, a two-week ceasefire brokered by Pakistan took effect between Iran and the United States to allow for negotiations, partly aimed at reopening the strait. Despite the truce, US President Donald Trump imposed a blockade on Iranian ports a day later. Iran has described the blockade as a breach of the ceasefire and responded by maintaining restrictions in the strait, through which about 20 percent of global energy supplies transit.