Iran’s Parliament Speaker Warns Hormuz Reopening Impossible Amid ‘Ceasefire Breach’

Last Updated:April 22, 2026, 22:42 IST

Iran speaker says Strait of Hormuz will stay closed until US naval blockade ends and ceasefire is respected, as reports show Iranian oil tankers still bypassing restrictions.

Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf on Tuesday said reopening the Strait of Hormuz would not be possible unless what he described as a maritime blockade is lifted and ceasefire violations are addressed.

In a post on X, Ghalibaf said a ceasefire would only be meaningful if it is not undermined by actions such as the blockade, which he accused of disrupting the global economy.

“A complete ceasefire only makes sense if it is not violated by the maritime blockade… reopening the Strait of Hormuz is impossible with such a flagrant breach," he said.

He also criticised what he called “Zionist warmongering" and asserted that military pressure had failed to achieve its goals.

“They did not achieve their goals through military aggression, nor will they through bullying. The only way forward is to recognize the rights of the Iranian nation," he added.

The remarks come amid rising tensions in the region and ongoing disputes over the blockade, which has significantly disrupted shipping through one of the world’s most critical energy corridors.

Tankers Bypass Blockade

Despite the restrictions, a report by Financial Times citing data from Vortexa said at least 34 tankers linked to Iran have managed to bypass the US naval blockade since it was imposed.

Several of these vessels were carrying Iranian crude oil, even as US President Donald Trump described the blockade as a “tremendous success."

According to the report, 19 tankers exited the Gulf through restricted waters, while 15 entered the region from the Arabian Sea, indicating that maritime flows linked to Iran have continued despite the blockade.

Oil Shipments Continue

At least six outbound vessels were confirmed to be transporting Iranian crude, with a combined volume of around 10.7 million barrels. Based on discounted pricing—often about $10 below Brent crude—the shipments could be worth approximately $910 million.

The continued movement of oil highlights the challenges of enforcing maritime restrictions in one of the world’s busiest energy corridors.

Evasion Tactics Used

Among the vessels identified was the Dorena, an Iranian-flagged supertanker that reportedly passed through the blockade with its transponder switched off—a common tactic used to avoid tracking.

Washington imposed the naval blockade on April 13 following a ceasefire in its conflict with Iran. Initially targeting ships entering or leaving Iranian waters, the restrictions were later expanded to include Iranian vessels on the high seas and ships suspected of supporting Tehran’s strategic operations.

The developments underscore the ongoing contest between enforcement measures and evasion tactics, even as diplomatic tensions over the blockade and ceasefire continue to escalate.

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