US Seals Iranian Sea Trade Amid Talk of New Negotiations

The United States announced that its navy has stopped all maritime commerce with Iran, even as the president hinted that talks about ending the current conflict might resume soon. In a brief statement, Admiral Brad Cooper said that within 36 hours of the blockade being put in place, every vessel carrying goods to or from Iran by sea was halted. The blockade targets about ninety percent of the country’s economic activity. President Trump told a news host that negotiations with Tehran could start again in Pakistan within the next two days. He also said a new cease‑fire might not be needed after it ends on April 21. The president viewed a deal as preferable because it would allow Iran to rebuild after the war. Vice President J. D. Vance, who led a weekend meeting that did not break any ground, expressed optimism about the situation. He noted that trust between the two nations remains a challenge but believed progress was possible.Despite the hopeful tone, more ships were turned back by U. S. forces. A Chinese‑owned tanker that had been sanctioned by the United States was redirected away from Iranian ports after leaving the Persian Gulf. The U. S. military reported that eight Iran‑linked oil tankers were intercepted since the blockade began on Monday. The conflict has forced Iran to close the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global oil shipments. About five thousand people have died in the hostilities, including three thousand in Iran and two thousand in Lebanon. Israel’s ongoing attacks on Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon have complicated the cease‑fire, as Tehran says the campaign is part of the agreement while Israel and the U. S. disagree. International voices have called for an end to violence, with several countries condemning the killing of United Nations peacekeepers in Lebanon. The United Kingdom, Canada, Japan and others urged an urgent cessation of hostilities after the cease‑fire was reached between the U. S. , Israel and Iran.