US and Iran Hold Talks in Pakistan; Strait of Hormuz Tensions Persist

Iran's president said Trump does not have the justification to deprive Iran of its nuclear rights. -proposed deal, the United States is going to knock out every single Power Plant, and every single Bridge, in Iran. Trump said to ABC that Iran has committed a serious ceasefire violation in Hormuz, but there will be a peace deal one way or another, the nice way or the hard way, it’s going to happen.

Trump spoke to ABC News today about whether he still thinks he will get a peace deal with Iran. Trump said to MSNBC that the delegation in the talks with Iran will include Witkoff and Kushner, but Vance will not participate for security reasons. U.S.

Blockade on ships heading to and from Iranian ports. Roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil trade normally passes through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran fired on two India-flagged merchant ships on Saturday, forcing them to turn around.

India summoned Iran’s ambassador over the incident with the two merchant ships. Iran earlier let several India-bound ships through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran fired at British and French ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

At least two merchant vessels attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz came under fire on Saturday. UK Maritime Trade Operations confirmed a reported incident in waters northeast of Oman near the Strait of Hormuz. A tanker captain reported that vessels belonging to Iran's Revolutionary Guard approached his ship before opening fire.

Iran's state broadcaster IRIB confirmed Tehran has now closed the Strait of Hormuz. Trump accused Iran of violating the ceasefire by firing at ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Trump said Iran decided to fire bullets yesterday in the Strait of Hormuz, a total violation of the ceasefire.

Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei called the US blockade an act of aggression on Sunday. Qalibaf said it is impossible for others to pass through the Strait of Hormuz while we cannot. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said we are fully prepared, if they make the slightest mistake, we will respond with full force.

Iran announced the Strait of Hormuz’s reopening after a 10-day truce between Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon took hold on Friday. A 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon was struck on Thursday. Trump said the US blockade will remain in full force until Tehran reaches a deal with the United States.

Oil prices plunged as Iran said the Strait of Hormuz is open during ceasefire. Brent crude sank by a tenth after Iran said the key waterway is open for commercial ships for the rest of the ceasefire.

Oil price dropped below $90 a barrel after Iran said the Strait of Hormuz is open. The war is now in its eighth week. U.S. and Israel launched the Iran war on February 28 during talks over Tehran’s nuclear program.

The war has killed at least 3,000 people in Iran. The war has killed more than 2,290 people in Lebanon. The war has killed 23 people in Israel.

Fifteen Israeli soldiers have been killed in Lebanon. Thirteen US service members have been killed throughout the region. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said Iran is determined to maintain oversight and control over traffic through the Strait of Hormuz until the war fully ends.

Iran requires Iran-designated routes, payment of fees, and issuance of transit certificates for the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council has recently acted as Iran’s de facto top decision-making body. There is a 68% chance of a permanent Iran x US peace deal by June 30, per Polymarket.

Trump's job rating hits a second-term low as two-thirds of Americans disapprove of his handling of inflation and the Iran war, per NBC News Decision Desk Poll. Sources said Vice President Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner would attend the talks in Pakistan.