The US decision to impose a naval blockade on Iran is illegal and constitutes piracy, said Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesman for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Command of the Iranian Armed Forces.
“Criminal America's restrictions on maritime traffic in international waters are illegal and constitute maritime piracy“, Iranian state television quoted him as saying.
The spokesman said Iran would establish a permanent mechanism to monitor ship movements in the Strait of Hormuz.
Earlier, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that the US military would begin a naval blockade of Iran on April 13. They intend to block the movement of all ships heading to ports in the Islamic Republic, as well as those trying to sail from its shores.
France will not support any military operations aimed at unblocking shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, including the US call for mine clearance in the strait, until the Iranian conflict is over.
This was stated by Benjamin Haddad, Minister Delegate for European Affairs at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on LCI television.
„We are committed to de-escalation and negotiations in the Middle East. We must find a diplomatic approach to resolve the issue of Iran's nuclear program and then, after the military operations, ensure the opening and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. "And this will not be during hostilities, but after the war," Haddad said in a comment on US President Donald Trump's decision to impose a naval blockade on Iran in the Strait of Hormuz and his claim that some NATO countries are ready to help Washington in this matter.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries have called on the United States and Iran to continue negotiations to resolve the conflict, adhere to the ceasefire and ensure the restoration of unhindered navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
This was stated in a joint statement by the foreign ministers of the member states.
“We, the member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), welcome the two-week ceasefire between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran, announced on 8 April 2026. We call on the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran to continue negotiations that will lead to a final end to the conflict and the establishment of lasting peace and stability in the region“, said the document published on the ASEAN website.
The organization's foreign ministers called for “full and effective implementation of the ceasefire, aimed at preventing further suffering and loss of life“, as well as “guaranteeing maritime security and freedom of navigation and overflight, especially for commercial, non-military vessels and aircraft“. The statement stressed the need for all parties to “exercise maximum restraint“, demonstrate “responsible behaviour“ and “avoid any actions that could aggravate the situation“.
In addition, ASEAN called for “the restoration of safe, unimpeded and uninterrupted transit of ships through the Strait of Hormuz in accordance with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and for all parties to ensure the safety of seafarers and ships in accordance with the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea“. As stated in the document, “it is also necessary to minimize disruptions in the supply of energy and essential goods“, which negatively affect global economic stability.
ASEAN is an intergovernmental organization established in August 1967 by five countries - Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines - to promote economic, social and cultural cooperation and strengthen peace and stability in the region. ASEAN currently includes Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia.