Defense

Iran taunts Trump, threatens Gulf ports over blockade threat

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by Tara Suter - 04/13/26 10:12 AM ET

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by Tara Suter - 04/13/26 10:12 AM ET

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Iran is taunting the Trump administration over gas prices in the U.S. and threatening ports on the Persian Gulf after President Trump announced a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday.

Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, the speaker of the Iranian parliament, told the U.S. in a post on the social platform X Sunday afternoon to “enjoy the current pump figures.”

“With the so-called ‘blockade’, Soon you’ll be nostalgic for $4–$5 gas,” Qalibaf added.

Qalibaf’s post also featured a screenshot of Google Maps, with “gas station near white house” in the search bar and multiple results coming up in the region with gas prices per gallon around $4 to $5.

According to AAA, the average price of a gallon of regular gas in the U.S. is sitting at $4.13, up from around $3.63 last month at this time.

On Sunday, Trump announced the U.S. military would start blockading ships looking to enter the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for the oil industry where traffic has been restricted amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict against Iran.

“Effective immediately, the United States Navy, the Finest in the World, will begin the process of BLOCKADING any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump said on Truth Social.

U.S. Central Command (Centcom) on Sunday said it would begin blockading Iranian ports starting at 10 a.m. EDT Monday, or at 5:30 p.m. Iranian time.

Reuters reported a spokesperson for the Iranian military called any limits in international waters from the U.S. on vessels unlawful and “piracy,” according to state media. The spokesperson also said ports in the Persian Gulf or the Gulf of Oman faced risks if Tehran’s ports were under threat.

The Hill has reached out to the White House for comment.

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