April 22, 2026 | Iran War | Energy Crisis | International | Innovationtimes.org
The seizures came hours after Donald Trump announced an extension of the US-Iran ceasefire. The US naval blockade of Iranian ports remains in place.
Iran has said it will not negotiate under these conditions. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the blockade as an act of war.
Donald Trump announced the ceasefire extension on Tuesday night, reversing his earlier pledge not to prolong it.
He said the truce would remain in place until Iran presents a unified proposal to end the conflict. The president described Iran’s government as “seriously fractured.”. Vice President JD Vance’s planned trip to Islamabad for a second round of peace talks was canceled following the announcement.
Amir Saeid Iravani said the United States must lift its naval blockade before any new negotiations can begin. Talks are expected to take place in Pakistan if conditions are met.
The Strait of Hormuz, through which around 20 percent of the world’s oil trade passes, has been severely restricted since the war began on February 28. The International Energy Agency has described the disruption as the largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market. Oil prices rose again Wednesday following the IRGC seizures, with Brent crude approaching $104 per barrel at intraday highs.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China warned Tuesday that the region is at a critical point between war and peace. It urged all parties to avoid a return to conflict.
China issued the statement amid reports that some social media users see the conflict as a strategic advantage, while the United States remains engaged in the Gulf.
With peace talks stalled, the blockade intact, and ships now being seized in the strait, the path to a negotiated settlement looks more uncertain than at any point since the ceasefire was announced.
