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 suggested renewed discussions to end the conflict with Iran might start soon, following the collapse of weekend talks. The US has maintained a maritime blockade of Iranian ports, aiming to cut off key trade routes. “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 in a New York Post interview.
According to US Central Command, no vessels had traversed the US-imposed maritime restriction within the first 24 hours of the operation. The standoff has raised questions about the viability of a two-week ceasefire set to end next week. While the Iranian government has not yet commented on Trump’s remarks, United Nations Secretary General António Guterres stated it is “highly probable” that negotiations will restart.
“You should stay there, really, because something could be happening over the next two days, and we’re more inclined to go there [Islamabad].” — President Donald Trump
Officials from the Gulf region, Pakistan, and Iran indicated that diplomatic teams from Washington and Tehran could reconvene in Pakistan later this week, though no specific date has been confirmed. Market analysts noted that renewed diplomatic efforts eased oil market tensions, causing benchmark prices to drop below $100 on Tuesday.
Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil and gas transport route, since it faced US and Israeli air strikes on 28 February. The US now employs over a dozen warships and approximately 10,000 troops to enforce the blockade, targeting Iran’s primary revenue streams: oil exports and tolls collected from ships passing through the strait. BBC Verify’s analysis of ship-tracking data revealed four Iran-linked vessels had crossed the strait despite the restriction, with two previously docked at Iranian ports.
Initial talks in Islamabad failed to reach an agreement, as the US emphasized Iran’s need to accept its terms. The nuclear program was a major point of contention, with the US proposing a 20-year pause on uranium enrichment. Tehran, however, sought a five-year halt, according to sources cited by US media. Amid global economic concerns, the IMF warned that the conflict could trigger a recession, while US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent argued that minor economic strain was justified for long-term security.
Meanwhile, Israel and Lebanon announced direct negotiations after talks in Washington. The collaboration followed Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah in Lebanon’s north, marking the first official dialogue between the two nations since 1993. Lebanese and Israeli representatives described the discussions as “productive” and “a new era of peace,” respectively. A US official clarified that the Iran talks in Islamabad were unrelated to the Israel-Lebanon discussions in Washington.
