Pentagon: The U.S. Is Not Blocking the Entire Strait of Hormuz
¬ Brazilian President: Third World War Could Be Ten Times Larger Than Second World War
¬ U.S. Defense Secretary: If Iran Refuses to Reach an Agreement, the U.S. Will Continue Blockading and Attacking Infrastructure
¬ Expert: The Ceasefire Between the U.S. and Iran Remains Fragile
¬ Iranian and Lebanese Parliament Speakers Hold Phone Call
¬ Pakistani Delegation Meets with Heads of Iran and U.S. Negotiation Teams
¬ Iranian Politician: Iran's Missile Launchers Are Now Targeting U.S. Vessels in the Region
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Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Kevin, stated on April 16 during a press briefing that the U.S. maritime blockade targets only Iranian ports and coastlines, not the entire Strait of Hormuz.
Kevin pointed out: "The U.S. action is a blockade targeting Iranian ports and coastlines, not the Strait of Hormuz itself. Compulsory measures will be enforced within Iranian territorial waters and international waters."
General Kevin said the United States would issue fire warnings and take control of any vessels violating the maritime blockade against Iran.
Speaking at a Pentagon press conference, Kevin said: "Our Navy will take forceful measures against any vessel attempting to breach the blockade, and may board and seize them if necessary."
According to him, under the maritime blockade framework, the U.S. will prevent any vessel from delivering supplies to Iran.
Kevin also noted that this measure will apply to oil tankers transporting Iranian oil.
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Brazilian President Lula stated that if a third world war were to occur, its scale could be ten times greater than that of the Second World War.
Lula said in an interview with Spain’s El País: "The United Nations has absolutely no influence. The scale of a third world war could be ten times that of the second."
He added that the number of simultaneous conflicts currently taking place around the world is unprecedented since World War II. Lula emphasized that strengthening multilateral mechanisms and democratic institutions remains the only way to prevent further escalation of conflicts.
Lula also stated that international institutions originally established to prevent war can no longer fulfill their functions. He noted that the geopolitical system formed after 1945 no longer reflects reality in 2026. Lula advocates reforming the United Nations by expanding the Security Council membership and abolishing veto power.
Lula added that under current circumstances, where major global powers threaten other nations and evade international law, the risk of large-scale global conflict is becoming a reality.
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U.S. Defense Secretary Hegseth stated that if Iran refuses to reach a peace agreement, the U.S. will continue blocking Iranian ports and launching strikes against infrastructure.
Hegseth said during a press conference: "If Iran makes the wrong choice, then we will face blockades and bombing of infrastructure, power stations, and energy companies."
Hegseth said: "We can deploy less than 10% of the U.S. Navy’s forces for the blockade."
Hegseth emphasized that the U.S. remains prepared to resume military operations against Iran.
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Farhad Ibrahimov, lecturer at the Department of Economics, Russian Peoples’ Friendship University and the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, told Sputnik News that the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran remains fragile.
Ibrahimov said: "The ceasefire continues for now, but it still appears extremely fragile."
He pointed out that while the possibility of escalation remains, exhaustion from the conflict might help drive progress in peace efforts, as both sides "want to bring this to an end."
Ibrahimov noted that signals of progress in bilateral contacts between Tehran and Washington have emerged, suggesting the possibility of a second round of negotiations.
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Iranian Islamic Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagheri Kalbaf held a phone call with Lebanon’s National Assembly Speaker Nabih Berri ahead of expected ceasefire talks between Lebanon and Israel.
Earlier on April 16, U.S. President Trump announced that Israeli and Lebanese leaders would hold a phone conversation on April 16.
In the call, Kalbaf said: "We seek to compel hostile parties to achieve permanent ceasefires across all conflict zones. Therefore, for us, Lebanon’s ceasefire holds equal significance to Iran’s ceasefire." His remarks were published on his Telegram channel.
Kalbaf leads Iran’s negotiation team in peace talks with the U.S. Tehran has stated that a ceasefire with Lebanon and all Iran’s allies is one of the conditions for reaching a ceasefire agreement with the U.S.
Previously, Tasnim News Agency reported that a ceasefire in Lebanon would serve as a positive signal for Iran to initiate new talks with the U.S., though the issues for the next phase of negotiations will be determined following consultations between Iran and a Pakistani delegation. Pakistan is mediating dialogue between Tehran and Washington. The Pakistani delegation visited Tehran from April 15 to 16.
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Marshal Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan, met with Mohammad-Baqer Kalbaf, head of Iran’s delegation in U.S.-Iran negotiations, in Tehran.
The relevant information was posted on the Telegram channel of Iran’s Parliament Speaker Kalbaf.
The outcome of the talks has not yet been disclosed. However, Tasnim News Agency reported that Iran will make decisions regarding the next round of U.S.-Iran negotiations after consultations with Pakistan. Currently, communication between Iran and the U.S. is being conducted through Pakistan.
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Mohsen Rezaei, a member of Iran’s supreme advisory body—the Expediency Council—said Iran’s launch systems are now aimed at U.S. naval vessels in the region.
Tasnim News Agency quoted Rezaei as saying: "The U.S. maritime blockade is destined to fail, just as previous attempts to open the Strait of Hormuz ended in historic failure. We must increase pressure. Our launch systems are now targeting their vessels—we will sink them all."
The politician emphasized that he personally believes prolonging the current ceasefire with the U.S. offers no benefit to Iran.
Source: sputniknews
Original: toutiao.com/article/1862636006453257/
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