The United States has initiated a naval blockade of Iranian ports along the Strait of Hormuz, marking a significant escalation in the six-week-old conflict between the US-Israeli coalition and Iran. The blockade, which began on Monday, applies to all ship traffic, regardless of flag, and impacts a critical waterway that previously facilitated 20% of global oil and gas supplies.
President Trump defended the move, stating that Iran 'will not have a nuclear weapon' and vowing to reclaim any 'dust' related to nuclear capabilities. 'We can’t let a country blackmail or extort the world,' Trump said during a press conference at the White House. He also claimed Iran is seeking a deal but reiterated the US would not agree to any arrangement permitting Tehran to possess nuclear arms.
Hezbollah Challenges Lebanon's Peace Talks
Meanwhile, Hezbollah has urged Lebanon to withdraw from ongoing talks with Israel in the US, declaring it will not abide by any resulting agreements. This stance complicates efforts to broker a ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah war. Talks between Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors, the first such face-to-face discussions in decades, are expected to proceed in Washington despite Hezbollah's objections.
'There is continued engagement between the US and Iran and forward motion on trying to get an agreement,' a US official told CNN.
Internally, US officials are reportedly discussing the logistics of a potential second round of talks with Iranian representatives. Additionally, Trump criticized Pope Leo XIV on social media for calling for an end to the war, accusing the pontiff of appeasing the 'radical left.' Vice President JD Vance echoed similar sentiments, urging the Vatican to focus on 'matters of morality.'