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Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Thursday that the US naval blockade of Iran is contrary to the interests of Persian Gulf countries and will not assist the United States in achieving its goals regarding the Islamic Republic, according to statements carried by Russian state news agency TASS.

"Today, our enemies have adjusted their approach by resorting to a strategy of the naval blockade and restrictions on the operating mode of maritime trade routes using it as a new tool to exert pressure on the Iranian government and the people of the country," Pezeshkian was quoted as saying by his press office, per TASS.

Coverage Comparison

The report originates exclusively from TASS, which has provided extensive coverage of Iranian officials' statements. All five TASS articles quote Iranian leadership directly and frame the naval blockade as an escalation by the US that disrupts regional stability and diplomatic efforts. While the core facts are consistent—the timeline of the military operation, ceasefire, talks, and blockade—each article emphasizes different aspects of Iran's response, from skepticism about US intentions to calls for diplomacy.

Key Claims

  • The United States and Israel launched a military operation against Iran on February 28, according to TASS reports.
  • US President Donald Trump announced a two-week mutual ceasefire with Tehran on April 7, as reported by TASS.
  • The US armed forces initiated a naval blockade of Iran on April 13, according to multiple TASS articles.
  • Iran and the US held several rounds of talks in Islamabad on April 11 but failed to reach a long-term agreement due to disagreements, per TASS.
  • President Pezeshkian stated that security in the Persian Gulf waters can only be achieved through cooperation between regional countries, as quoted by his press office (via TASS).
  • Pezeshkian said the blockade "will have no effect" and violates international law, as reported by TASS.
  • Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described US threats to Iranian vessels and Washington's demands as "frivolous" and evidence of "ill intentions," according to a single TASS report of his conversation with Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
  • Pezeshkian told Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif that the tightening blockade undermines trust and hinders negotiations, and expressed concern the talks could be "a smokescreen for a new attack on Iran," per TASS.

Perspectives

From Tehran's viewpoint, the naval blockade is an aggressive act that harms regional interests, violates international law, and undermines the credibility of US diplomatic overtures. Iranian officials stress that they will defend their interests with all available capabilities while remaining open to genuine negotiations. The reports do not include US or Israeli perspectives on the blockade, nor independent verification from Western outlets.

Temporal Context

TASS reports that the US and Israel launched a military operation on February 28, followed by a ceasefire announced on April 7. Talks in Islamabad on April 11 failed to produce a long-term deal. The blockade began on April 13, and on April 21 Trump announced a unilateral extension of the ceasefire, which Tehran said it would not recognize. A later statement from Pezeshkian on April 30 reiterated opposition to the blockade and emphasized regional cooperation as the path to security.