WireApril 15, 2026 at 6:03 PM
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President Donald Trump declared on Wednesday that the U.S.-Iran conflict is 'very close to being over,' despite ongoing tensions, a live naval blockade, and unresolved negotiations. Speaking to Fox Business’s Maria Bartiromo, Trump expressed optimism about a potential resolution, citing market readiness for a ceasefire. However, the reality on the ground paints a different picture.
The U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports entered its third day, with CENTCOM confirming on Wednesday that six merchant vessels attempting to depart from an Iranian port were forced to turn back. 'In less than 36 hours… U.S. forces have completely halted economic trade going into and out of Iran by sea,' the statement read. Despite this, Gregory Brew, a senior oil analyst at Eurasia Group, noted that traffic in and out of Iranian ports has not fully halted, raising questions about the blockade’s enforcement.
Iran’s Maj. Gen. Ali Abdollahi warned that if the U.S. continues the blockade, Iran’s armed forces 'will not allow any kind of export and import to continue in the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, and the Red Sea.'
Behind the scenes, negotiations remain stalled. JD Vance, who led the U.S. delegation in Islamabad, stated that 'the ball is very much in their court,' referring to Iran’s next moves. The core issue—Iran’s nuclear enrichment program—has been a sticking point for decades. Vance proposed a two-decade moratorium on uranium enrichment, but Iran countered with a five-year offer. Trump dismissed even the U.S. proposal, emphasizing that Iran must surrender its nuclear ambitions entirely.
While Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed a desire for stability and avoidance of conflict, he also asserted that Iran 'will not be forced to surrender.' The standoff continues as the U.S. blockade disrupts Iran’s economy and Tehran threatens retaliatory measures, leaving the prospect of a near-term resolution uncertain.