Paris Hosts 50 Nations to Address Strait of Hormuz Blockade Amid Stalled Iran‑US Talks

Suara Pecari – 20 April 2026 | Fifty countries and major international organisations gathered in Paris to discuss the ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint that handles a sizable share of global oil shipments.

Delegates warned that any disruption of traffic through the narrow waterway threatens worldwide energy markets and maritime safety.

Iran reiterated its decision to keep the strait closed until the United States lifts its naval blockade of Iranian ports, calling the restriction a breach of the cease‑fire agreement.

U.S. President Donald Trump countered that the naval pressure will remain in place until Tehran complies with American demands, emphasizing a firm stance against Iranian provocations.

Negotiations between Washington and Tehran have stalled, with no timetable announced for the next round of direct talks.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said there is no schedule for new negotiations and criticised the United States for maintaining maximalist conditions.

The United States, for its part, maintains that Iran must halt hostile actions before any easing of the blockade can be considered.

Meanwhile, the European Union’s coordinator for the 2015 nuclear agreement is set to visit Tehran this week, signalling parallel diplomatic efforts.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Navy dismissed recent U.S. statements as lacking legal validity, insisting the strait will stay shut until the blockade ends.

A conditional two‑week cease‑fire earlier this month permitted limited vessel passage, but Iran re‑closed the route, accusing the United States of violating the truce.

Indonesia, represented by a delegation traveling to Belgium, used the opportunity to lobby against the Gaza blockade, highlighting the broader diplomatic focus on unilateral restrictions.

Indonesia’s foreign ministry stressed the importance of multilateral mechanisms to protect vital shipping lanes from political interference.

Analysts warn that a prolonged closure could push oil prices upward, harming economies reliant on Middle Eastern energy supplies.

The Paris summit concluded with a joint communiqué urging immediate de‑escalation and the resumption of negotiations under United Nations auspices.

All parties agreed that the stability of the Strait of Hormuz is essential for global trade and that unilateral actions jeopardise regional peace.