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

Trump Signals Possible Resumption of Iran Discussions Amid Ongoing Maritime Blockade

President Donald Trump hinted at the potential restart of negotiations with Iran, potentially within the coming days, as the United States continues its naval embargo on Iranian ports. The blockade, which began after talks in Islamabad stalled over the weekend, has left the country’s ports and coastal regions inaccessible to international vessels. Trump’s remarks, shared during an interview with the New York Post, suggested that renewed discussions could follow the next few days, with the US showing interest in revisiting talks in the Pakistani capital.

“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 stated.

Meanwhile, US Central Command (Centcom) reported that no ships had crossed the blockade in its first 24 hours, though analysts noted discrepancies. BBC Verify’s analysis revealed that at least four Iranian-linked vessels had traversed the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil route, despite the restrictions. Two of these ships had earlier been docked at Iranian ports, suggesting continued economic activity under the blockade.

The two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran, set to conclude next week, now faces uncertainty. While the Iranian delegation has not yet commented on Trump’s remarks, UN Secretary General António Guterres indicated that a resumption of talks appears likely. Gulf, Pakistani, and Iranian officials confirmed that negotiation teams from Washington and Tehran might reconvene in Pakistan later this week, though no specific date has been set.

Initial talks in Islamabad had collapsed over disagreements on Iran’s nuclear program. The US had pushed for a 20-year halt to uranium enrichment, while Iran proposed a five-year freeze. The stalemate has raised concerns about the sustainability of the ceasefire, particularly as the International Monetary Fund warned of global economic downturns if the conflict persists. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended the blockade, stating that short-term economic challenges are acceptable for long-term security.

China, however, criticized the US action as “dangerous and irresponsible,” fearing it might weaken the fragile ceasefire. Separately, Israel and Lebanon announced direct negotiations following talks in Washington, marking the first such dialogue since 1993. The discussions, spurred by Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah in northern Lebanon, were described as “productive” by the Lebanese ambassador and a “new era of peace” by the Israeli representative.

Despite the ongoing tensions, a US official clarified that the Israel-Lebanon talks in Washington were unrelated to the Iran negotiations in Islamabad. The blockade, enforced by over a dozen US warships and 10,000 personnel, aims to cut off Iran’s access to critical oil revenues and shipping tolls, effectively stranding the nation’s economic lifelines.