President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance continue to tout good progress in terms of the U.S-Iran war as Pakistani mediators make it to Iran for negotiations, and the blockade temporarily restricts Iran’s economy.
Iran’s main oil export, Kharg Island, is affected by the U.S. blockade. Several ports including the Chabahar port, are outside the blockade and will be able to resume business as usual. Still, with the Kharg port down, Iran’s economy will likely take a blow if the blockade is held up for an extended period.
“An estimated 90 percent of Iran’s economy is fueled by international trade by sea,” Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, makes a statement on X. “In less than 36 hours since the blockade was implemented, U.S. forces have completely halted economic trade going in and out of Iran by sea.”
According to the U.S., no ships meant to be impacted by the blockade have gone through. BBC reports that 15 ships in total have at the very least tested the boundaries of the blockade, nine having links to Iran.
CENTCOM says that those nine ships had complied and turned back around. If the blockade is passed, the X account for CENTCOM stated in a previously voice note that they will use force.
In March, mediators suggested a 15-point plan for the U.S-Iran war, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Iran rejected this plan, stating that it was “unrealistic,” and more recently rejecting the latest negotiations.
“It is very likely that we are going to be hosting a delegation of officials from Pakistan in the continuation of the talks that were held in Islamabad,” Esmail Baghaei, Iran spokesperson says, “the discussions that the Pakistani side has had with America. They have certainly heard our views and concerns during the course of this particular visit… It is only natural that any understanding involves two parties. If a part of that understanding is violated, the other party is also authorized to proportionally reduce its own commitments in response to that breach.”
The more recent 10-point plan was proposed by Iran and rejected by the U.S. This weekend negotiations fell apart as Van alleges that the Iranian government refused to agree to non-pursuit of a nuclear weapon. Pakistani mediators arrived in Iran on April 15, to continue peace-talks.
“He lies as easily as he breathes,” Jonathan Alter, Presidential historian states, “so to believe anything out of his mouth like, ‘we demand unconditional surrender’ – well, two days later, he won’t be demanding it any more and he’ll pretend he never said it.”
“I think it can be over very soon,” Trump said during an interview on Fox Business, Mornings With Maria Bartiromo, “if they’re smart, it will end soon.”
Weeks ago, Trump had described the war as, “very complete,” and as the date approaches to April 22, the U.S. and Iran have still only negotiated a temporary ceasefire.