The US naval blockade of Iran, now in its 48-hour mark, has prevented any vessels from passing, forcing 10 ships to return to Iranian ports. This blockade, coupled with financial sanctions and warnings against dealing with Iran's oil and banking sectors, aims to exert significant economic pressure on the country. Meanwhile, diplomatic talks are underway between Iran and Pakistan, with Pakistani officials mediating communications with the US. Separately, escalating regional tensions are noted with continued Israeli shelling in southern Lebanon despite reports of a ceasefire, prompting warnings for displaced residents not to return. US President Trump has expressed willingness to extend a ceasefire if a deal is nearing completion.
No vessels have made it past the U.S. naval blockade of Iran in the 48 hours it has been in effect, Adm. Brad Cooper, the head of the U.S. Central Command, said on Wednesday. Central Command reported that 10 vessels have complied with orders to turn around and return to Iranian ports or the country's coastal area.
With the blockade in effect and expected to weigh heavily on the Iranian economy, officials in Washington looked to ramp up that pressure with what Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described as the "financial equivalent" of the bombing campaign. Bessent added that the administration has warned other countries and companies against buying Iranian oil or having Iranian money in their banks.Meanwhile, talks between Iran and Pakistan got underway on Wednesday and were expected to continue Thursday, according to Iranian state media. Pakistani officials, who have been mediating talks between Tehran and Washington, were expected to talk about their latest communications with the U.S.Here's the latest:6:00 p.m. ET: Lebanon’s state-run National News agency reported that Israeli shelling continued in the villages of Khiam and Dibbine about a half hour after the truce began.The Lebanese Army also repeated its warning to people displaced from southern Lebanon about returning home because of intermittent shelling.Israel’s military told The Associated Press very early Friday that it was looking into reports of shelling and artillery fire in southern Lebanon.2:20 p.m. ET: President Trump spoke to reporters at the White House prior to departing for Las Vegas. He said he's willing to extend the two week ceasefire that is set to expire on Wednesday. "If we’re close to a deal, would I extend?" Trump told reporters. "Yeah, I would do that."11:50 a.m. ET: President Trump took to social media and said Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire. Trump said he spoke with Lebanese President Aoun and Israeli President Netanyahu and said they have achieved a peace agreement between their countries. The ceasefire will formally begin at 5 p.m. 9:15 a.m. ET: Secretary of State Pete Hegseth spoke with reporters in a press briefing at the Pentagon, urging Iran to make a deal. "We’d prefer to do it the nice way through a deal led by our great vice president and negotiating team. Or we can do it the hard way," Hegseth said.Part of the points of interest in negotiations continue to be focused on Iran's nuclear program. Iran insists that they are not seeking a nuclear weapon, saying their nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. 6:33 a.m. ET: President Trump took to social media to say that leaders from both Israel and Lebanon would be meeting to talk on Thursday to discuss a deal for a ceasefire between the two nations. The two last spoke earlier this week in Washington for the first such meeting in decades.
US Naval Blockade Iran Sanctions Iran-Pakistan Talks Lebanon Shelling Ceasefire Extension
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