US President Donald Trump says negotiations with Iran could restart within days, signalling a possible diplomatic reopening even as military and economic pressure continues to mount across the Middle East.
In a preview of a Fox News interview, Trump said discussions between Washington and Tehran could resume “in the next two days,” suggesting a rapid return to diplomacy after weeks of heightened regional conflict. He also said the war situation is “very close to over,” without giving further details on the basis of that assessment.
US Vice-President JD Vance reinforced the administration’s diplomatic framing, stating that Trump is seeking a “grand bargain” with Iran, indicating a broader negotiated settlement rather than narrow, issue-specific talks.
Iran, however, has not confirmed any plans for renewed negotiations. Its president warned that any attempts to force Iran into “surrender” would be “destined to fail,” signalling continued resistance to US pressure.
On the military front, US Central Command (CENTCOM) commander Adm Brad Cooper said the naval blockade of Iranian ports has “completely halted economic trade,” pointing to significant disruption in maritime activity.
Despite this, some vessels were still reported crossing the Strait of Hormuz. Cooper said six ships were turned back, while tracking data showed at least one vessel reversing course in the Gulf of Oman, highlighting ongoing instability in critical shipping lanes.
The wider conflict continues to spread across the region. Israeli strikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon have continued following recent diplomatic engagements between Israel and the Lebanese government in the United States.
Hezbollah has also escalated its operations, launching around 30 strikes toward northern Israel, according to an Israeli official cited by AFP.
The conflict is also creating global economic pressure. Brandon Fried, executive director of the Airforwarders Association, said disruption to air cargo is now “broad and on a wide scale,” affecting global freight movement.
He warned that Middle Eastern carriers such as Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways normally responsible for up to a fifth of global cargo capacity are now operating below full capacity, leading to congestion and delays.
Fried said rising jet fuel prices, rerouting costs, insurance premiums, and increased security measures are driving up expenses, with air freight rates already rising by 20–30 percent in recent weeks.
“As an industry we can only absorb this for so long, sooner or later the actual customer pays for it,” he said.
Meanwhile, humanitarian conditions inside Iran continue to deteriorate. Martje van Raamsdonk of the Norwegian Refugee Council said she has witnessed widespread destruction in Tehran, where repeated strikes have devastated densely populated areas.
“They bombed almost daily in densely populated areas so here in Tehran, which is a huge city of over ten million people, many buildings have been destroyed and neighbourhoods are unrecognisable,” she said.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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