Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has mocked US President Donald Trump’s after his warning of a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.
Using fuel prices in the United States to criticise Trump,
Ghalibaf shared an image showing petrol prices near the White House and warned that Americans would soon miss them, suggesting that the proposed blockade could drive oil prices significantly higher.
In a post on social media platform X, Ghalibaf wrote, “Enjoy the current pump figures. With the so-called ‘blockade’, soon you’ll be nostalgic for $4-$5 gas.”
He also shared an equation — “ΔO_BSOH>0 ⇒ f(f(O))>f(O)” — along with a screenshot of Google Maps showing fuel prices in the US.
Enjoy the current pump figures. With the so-called ‘blockade’, Soon you’ll be nostalgic for $4–$5 gas.
ΔO_BSOH>0 ⇒ f(f(O))>f(O) pic.twitter.com/rVxlC6vFWG
— محمدباقر قالیباف | MB Ghalibaf (@mb_ghalibaf) April 12, 2026
The equation was meant to indicate that any increase in the severity of a Hormuz blockade would not lead to a simple rise in oil prices, but a compounding and accelerating spike. In simple terms, one shock pushes prices up, and then the effect of that shock pushes them up even further. So instead of a steady increase, prices rise faster and stronger with each step. Here, “BSOH” refers to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, and the idea is that such a blockade would create a chain reaction, making oil and gas prices climb sharply beyond the initial jump.
Iran told the US that when supply is restricted, prices rise, and the reaction to that initial shock pushes them even higher, increasing pressure on consumers.
US moves to enforce Hormuz blockade
The comments came as President Trump announced that the US Navy would begin blocking ships entering or leaving Iranian ports, following the collapse of ceasefire talks between Washington and Tehran in Pakistan. The US Central Command confirmed that the blockade would begin on Monday at 10 am EDT, which corresponds to 5:30 pm in Iran.
CENTCOM said the move would apply to all vessels entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including those along the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. It added that the blockade would be enforced against ships of all nations.
However, it clarified that vessels travelling between non-Iranian ports would still be allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, keeping some commercial routes open.
Oil markets react
The announcement triggered an immediate reaction in global oil markets. Crude oil prices jumped by around 11 per cent, crossing $105 per barrel.
WTI crude futures were trading at about $104.25 per barrel on Monday morning, while Brent crude was close to $101 per barrel. The rise reflects growing concern over possible disruptions in oil supply, especially given the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz as a key global shipping route.
The blockade decision follows the breakdown of US-Iran negotiations, which ended without an agreement. The failure of talks has added to tensions in the region and increased uncertainty over the future of maritime trade and energy supplies.
