US President Donald Trump has stated that the United States will not lift its blockade on Iranian ports until a comprehensive deal has been reached with Tehran. This declaration comes amidst ongoing uncertainty regarding the potential for fresh talks aimed at resolving the conflict.
Trump, in a post on his social media platform Truth Social, asserted that the blockade, which commenced a week prior, is “absolutely destroying Iran” and claimed his country was significantly prevailing in the conflict.
These comments precede the scheduled end of the temporary US-Iran ceasefire on Wednesday, with no firm confirmation yet on whether a second round of peace talks will proceed in Pakistan.
Uncertainty Surrounds Peace Talks
Security has been heightened in Pakistan’s capital in anticipation of a potential meeting. However, US Vice President JD Vance, slated to lead the US delegation, has not yet departed from Washington, while Iran has indicated it has not finalized its decision regarding attendance.
According to US Central Command (Centcom), since the blockade began, US forces have directed 27 vessels to either turn around or return to an Iranian port.
In a significant development, the US also intercepted and seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship for the first time in the conflict after it attempted to breach the blockade on Sunday. Videos shared by Centcom reportedly depicted the ship receiving warnings before troops boarded the vessel. Tehran condemned this action as an “act of piracy” and a violation of the fragile ceasefire between the two nations.
Strait of Hormuz Blockade and Global Impact
Iran has maintained its own blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global shipping route, for nearly two months, leading to a significant surge in global energy prices. The strait was briefly reopened on Saturday but quickly closed again following reports of vessels, including a tanker, being targeted by Tehran in or near the waterway. Trump described Iran’s actions, stating they had “decided to fire bullets,” as a “total violation” of the ceasefire agreement. Iran, in turn, stated it would keep the route closed until the US ceased its blockade of Iranian ports.
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway approximately 21 miles (33 km) at its tightest point, situated between Iran, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Oman. It connects the Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, making it a vital artery for global maritime trade. Approximately 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas typically transits through the Strait of Hormuz. This includes oil from Iran, as well as Gulf states such as Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. In 2025, an estimated 20 million barrels of oil passed through the waterway daily, representing nearly $600 billion (£447 billion) worth of energy trade annually, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). Sea traffic has been substantially reduced since the conflict began.
Prospects for Second Round of Negotiations
Despite Tehran’s refusal to confirm whether it will send a delegation, there are indications that a second round of peace talks between the US and Iran will proceed. Following the initial round of talks earlier this month, US Vice-President J D Vance noted that the US “could not get to a situation where the Iranians were willing to accept our terms,” while Iran’s foreign ministry urged Washington to refrain from “excessive demands and unlawful requests.”
This potential second round arrives at a critical juncture. Sources informed the BBC on Monday afternoon that the US delegation would be departing “soon,” though a specific time was not provided, while officials told the New York Times that their departure was set for Tuesday. Later on Monday, an Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson stated that, “so far,” Tehran had “no plans” to attend. Vance is expected to be accompanied by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law and adviser, Jared Kushner, mirroring the previous round of talks. It remains unclear who, if anyone, will represent Iran.
Nonetheless, in Islamabad, preparations for the talks are evident. Guests at the city’s Serena Hotel, the venue for the previous round, have been requested to vacate in readiness for meetings, and police have announced the closure of key roads due to the anticipated arrival of foreign delegations. A senior government official told Reuters news agency that Pakistan expressed confidence in securing Iran’s attendance at the talks.
Lyse Doucet, the BBC’s Chief International Correspondent in Tehran, speaking to Radio 4’s PM programme, remarked that despite the unpredictable situation, there was a greater likelihood that the talks would occur. She emphasized a key diplomatic principle: “you don’t want to be the one blamed for something breaking down.” Doucet added, “If JD Vance is going to be in Islamabad, it will be really hard for the Iranians to not show up.” She concluded that “the telephone lines are burning with the Pakistanis trying to ensure that both sides get there, because the venue is ready, the security is in place, they are just waiting for teams to arrive.”
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