Trump hints Iran talks could resume this week as US maritime blockade continues

Trump Indicates Iran Talks May Restart This Week Amid Ongoing Naval Blockade

As the United States continues its maritime restrictions on Iranian ports, President Donald Trump has signaled that diplomatic discussions with Iran could resume within the next few days. The potential restart of negotiations follows a weekend stalemate, during which no agreement was reached between Washington and Tehran. Trump’s comments, shared in an interview with the New York Post, suggested a renewed effort to address the conflict, with the U.S. military maintaining a strict presence in the region.

Centcom, the U.S. Central Command overseeing operations in the Middle East and Central Asia, reported that no ships had navigated through the blockade in its first 24 hours. This measure, enforced by over a dozen warships and thousands of troops, aims to disrupt Iran’s access to critical trade routes and reduce its economic resources. The blockade targets two major revenue streams: oil exports and tolls collected from vessels using the Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor for global energy and gas transport.

“You should stay there, really, because something could be happening over the next two days, and we’re more inclined to go there [Islamabad],” Trump was quoted as saying.

Despite the blockade, satellite tracking data from BBC Verify revealed that at least four Iran-linked ships had crossed the Strait of Hormuz during the initial phase of the operation. Two of these vessels had previously docked at Iranian ports, indicating persistent activity. Three additional ships, not associated with Iran, also traversed the waterway. The UN Secretary General, António Guterres, expressed confidence that talks would resume, calling it “highly probable” that negotiations would pick up later this week.

Hopes for diplomatic progress eased concerns in oil markets, which saw prices dip below $100 on Tuesday. Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz began after it faced attacks from U.S. and Israeli forces on February 28. The blockade has drawn criticism, with China calling it “dangerous and irresponsible” and warning it might “exacerbate tensions” and weaken the fragile ceasefire.

Meanwhile, Israel and Lebanon have initiated direct talks in Washington, following airstrikes targeting Hezbollah in Iran’s northern neighbor. This marks the first in-person dialogue between the two nations since 1993. The Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors described the meeting as “productive” and “a new era of peace,” respectively. A U.S. official clarified that these discussions are separate from the ongoing negotiations with Iran in Islamabad.

The initial talks in Islamabad failed to produce a deal, with the U.S. citing Iran’s reluctance to accept its terms. A key issue was the proposed 20-year pause on uranium enrichment, which Iran sought to reduce to five years. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended the blockade, stating that “a small bit of economic pain” is necessary for long-term security.