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3. U.S. Continues Naval Blockade Amid Precarious Ceasefire

The U.S. blockade of Iranian ports remains in effect overnight on Tuesday into Wednesday morning as the rocky U.S.-Iran ceasefire holds.

The naval blockade was initiated on Monday as U.S. President Donald Trump warned that “if any of these ships come anywhere close to our blockade, they will be immediately eliminated, using the same system of kill that we use against the drug dealers on boats at sea.”

Enforcement of the blockade expanded into Tuesday and Wednesday. A U.S. official said that the U.S. intercepted 8 oil tankers linked to Iran since the start of the blockade, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal.

A Reuters report added that a U.S. destroyer vessel intervened against 2 oil tankers originating from Iran and ordered their return.

On Wednesday morning, U.S. CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper announced on X that the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports has been “fully implemented” and U.S. forces hold “maritime superiority” in the region.

“In less than 36 hours since the blockade was implemented, U.S. forces have completely halted economic trade going into and out of Iran by sea,” Cooper added, noting that 90% of Iran’s economic activity is linked to maritime international trade.

Iran has also begun to regroup its assets and capabilities as the country faces a naval blockade. During the ceasefire, satellite imagery revealed that Iran has been removing debris from entrances to ballistic missile sites, according to a CNN report. 

Continued Negotiations

Meanwhile, the ceasefire is set to continue as the Trump administration doubles down on the nuclear issue.

On Tuesday, U.S. Vice President JD Vance announced that the ceasefire agreement with Iran is holding and the U.S. is continuing negotiations, but emphasized that Trump’s position is that Iran cannot be allowed to possess nuclear weapons.

A New York Times report conveyed on Monday that Iran proposed a suspension of nuclear activity for up to 5 years, which the Trump administration rejected and insisted on 20 years, citing U.S. and Iranian officials.

Trump has set a position in favor of a more sustainable end in the fighting, and hinted that the war in Iran may end soon, when speaking to Fox News on Tuesday, adding that Iran is eager to strike a deal.

He said to ABC that he is not thinking of extending the ceasefire with Iran, highlighting that reaching an agreement is preferable. 

While talks are set to continue, the date and location of the next set of meetings has yet to be determined. Trump said to the New York Post that “future direct talks with Iran are being discussed, but no date has been set yet.”

“Something could be happening over the next two days,” he suggested to the New York Post.