Ghalibaf: Ceasefire Means Nothing Under Naval Blockade

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly and head of the Islamic Republic’s negotiating team, said in a message that a ceasefire has no real meaning if it is undermined by a “naval blockade and the holding of the global economy hostage,” and if “Zionist warmongering” continues on different fronts.

Writing on X on April 22, Ghalibaf said: “A full ceasefire is only meaningful when it is not violated by a naval blockade and the holding of the world economy hostage, and when Zionist warmongering is stopped on all fronts; the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is not possible while there is a flagrant violation of the ceasefire.” He added, “They did not achieve their goals through military aggression, and they will not achieve them through bullying either. The only way forward is the recognition of the rights of the Iranian nation.”

U.S. President Donald Trump had announced that the temporary ceasefire with Iran had been extended, though the naval blockade would remain in place. He said the decision came after requests from Pakistani officials, including Asim Munir and Shehbaz Sharif, who wanted to give Tehran time to present a unified proposal.

Trump also said he had instructed the U.S. military to maintain the blockade and stay on full alert in other areas. He added that the ceasefire would remain in effect until Iran puts forward a proposal and the outcome of the negotiations becomes clear.

In a related development, Tasnim News Agency reported that “as of this moment, no official position has been announced by Iran regarding this matter,” adding that Tehran is still reviewing the different aspects of Trump’s claim about extending the ceasefire. The outlet also said Esmaeil Baghaei has not made any statement regarding “Iran’s official agreement to a ceasefire.”