The Iranian embassy in Thailand ironically reminded of the rise in gasoline prices, linking the increase to the actions of US President Donald Trump.
„Are you ready, guys?“, the embassy said in a statement published in X. The question also included an image of the US leader's name and the price of $20.28 per gallon (3.79 liters).
The US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz went into effect on Monday, April 13, 2026, at exactly 10:00 a.m. Eastern US time (5:00 p.m. Bulgarian time).
It targets all Iranian ports. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the fleet would stop ships entering or leaving Iranian ports, including those across the Strait of Oman itself. The US has said it will not interfere with vessels traveling to non-Iranian ports in the region as long as they are not related to Iran. The measure was imposed by President Donald Trump after the collapse of 21-hour peace talks with Iran in Islamabad over the weekend. More than 15 US warships are involved in the blockade, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, which is serving as a base for boarding and inspection operations. Trump issued a direct threat that any Iranian vessel approaching or attempting to breach the blockade would be "immediately eliminated". The US has said it will stop and inspect any a ship in international waters that paid “illegal fees“ to Iran to pass through the strait.
Tehran described the US actions as “piracy“ and warned of retaliation, saying no port in the Persian Gulf would be safe if Iranian traffic was stopped.
Oil prices rose, exceeding $100 a barrel. Experts warn of the risk of food and feed shortages in Iran, as about 1 million tons of grain are currently on their way to the country and could be blocked.
Allies such as the United Kingdom and Spain have expressed their disagreement with the blockade, while China and Turkey have called for the strait to be opened to free passage immediately.