Trump hints Iran talks could resume this week as US maritime blockade continues
Trump Signals Possible Restart of Iran Talks Amid Continued Maritime Blockade
President Donald Trump suggested that discussions to halt the conflict with Iran might resume this week, following the collapse of weekend negotiations that triggered the U.S. imposition of a maritime embargo on Iranian ports. In an interview with the New York Post, Trump stated, “You should stay there, really, because something could be happening over the next two days, and we’re more inclined to go there [Islamabad].” His comments came as American military officials reported no ships had passed through the Iranian ports and coastal areas under the blockade within the first 24 hours of the operation.
This standoff has raised concerns about the viability of a two-week ceasefire, set to expire next week. While the Iranian side has not yet responded to Trump’s remarks, United Nations Secretary General António Guterres remarked that it is “highly probable” the talks will begin again. Gulf, Pakistani, and Iranian officials also indicated that delegations from Washington and Tehran could reconvene in Islamabad later this week, with no specific date confirmed, Reuters reports.
Blockade’s Impact on Iran’s Economy
Iran has effectively sealed the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global oil and gas route, since it was struck by U.S. and Israeli air attacks on February 28. The current blockade, enforced by over a dozen U.S. warships and approximately 10,000 military personnel, aims to cut off Iran’s access to vital economic resources. It targets two major revenue sources: oil exports and the tolls Iran levied on ships passing through the strait.
Ship-tracking data from BBC Verify showed at least four Iran-linked vessels crossing the Strait of Hormuz during the first 24 hours of the blockade. Two of these ships had previously been at Iranian ports, while three unaffiliated vessels also navigated the waterway after the blockade started on Monday. U.S. Central Command noted that six merchant ships had “complied with direction” to return to Iranian ports within the first day.
Stalemate in Diplomatic Efforts
Earlier negotiations in Islamabad over the weekend failed to yield a deal, with the U.S. insisting Iran had not accepted its proposal for a 20-year suspension of uranium enrichment. Iranian officials countered with a five-year pause, sources from other U.S. media reported. As the International Monetary Fund warned that the war could push the global economy into recession, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told the BBC that “a small bit of economic pain” is essential for long-term security.
Regional Diplomatic Moves
China criticized the blockade as “dangerous and irresponsible,” warning it would “exacerbate tensions and undermine the already fragile ceasefire agreement.” Meanwhile, Israel and Lebanon have agreed to launch direct negotiations after talks in Washington on Tuesday, stemming from Israeli airstrikes on its northern neighbor targeting the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah. The meeting, held at the U.S. State Department, marked the first direct dialogue between the two nations since 1993. The Lebanese ambassador called it “productive,” while the Israeli ambassador hailed it as a “new era of peace.”
A U.S. official clarified to the BBC that the Israel-Lebanon discussions in Washington are separate from the U.S.-Iran talks held in Islamabad. The two sets of negotiations are occurring concurrently but are not connected, according to the official.
