Trump hints Iran talks could resume this week as US maritime blockade continues
Trump hints Iran talks could resume this week as US maritime blockade continues
President Donald Trump has suggested that discussions to end the conflict in Iran might restart this week, following the weekend’s stalled negotiations. The US military reported that no ships had traversed the Iranian ports and coastal zones under the American-imposed blockade within the first 24 hours of its implementation. This development comes amid growing uncertainty about the viability of a two-week ceasefire, which is set to end next week.
“You should stay there [Islamabad], really, because something could be happening over the next two days, and we’re more inclined to go there,” Trump was quoted as saying in an interview with the New York Post.
While the Iranian delegation has yet to comment on Trump’s remarks, United Nations Secretary General António Guterres expressed confidence that talks would likely resume. Officials from the Gulf, Pakistan, and Iran indicated that diplomatic teams from Washington and Tehran could reconvene in Pakistan later this week, though a specific date remains unconfirmed, according to Reuters.
Strait of Hormuz and Economic Pressure
Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil and gas transit route, since being targeted by US and Israeli airstrikes on 28 February. To counter this, more than a dozen US warships and approximately 10,000 military personnel are enforcing a blockade that restricts all vessels from entering or leaving Iranian ports. This measure aims to cut off a key economic lifeline, targeting Iran’s oil revenue and the tolls it charges for passage through the strait.
Ship-tracking data analyzed by BBC Verify revealed that at least four Iran-linked vessels had crossed the Strait of Hormuz despite the blockade. Two of these ships had previously been stationed at Iranian ports, while three unrelated vessels also navigated the waterway after the blockade began on Monday.
Diplomatic Deadlock and Nuclear Ambitions
Initial high-level talks in Islamabad over the weekend failed to reach an agreement, with the US emphasizing that Iran had not accepted its terms. A central issue was Iran’s nuclear program, as the US proposed a 20-year freeze on uranium enrichment. Iran, however, advocated for a five-year halt, sources noted in other US media outlets.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned that the conflict could push the global economy into recession. In response, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told the BBC that a “small bit of economic pain” is acceptable for securing long-term international stability.
Regional Diplomacy and Ceasefire Concerns
China criticized the blockade as “dangerous and irresponsible,” arguing it would “exacerbate tensions and undermine the fragile ceasefire agreement.” Meanwhile, Israel and Lebanon announced plans to hold direct negotiations after talks in Washington, stemming from Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah in northern Lebanon. This marks the first direct dialogue between the two nations since 1993, described by the Lebanese ambassador as “productive” and by the Israeli ambassador as a potential “new era of peace.”
A US official clarified to the BBC that the Islamabad negotiations between Washington and Tehran were unrelated to the Israel-Lebanon talks in Washington.
