The US naval blockade enters its third day as Trump signals new talks
Chief Foreign Correspondent Trey Yingst and Senior White House Correspondent Jacqui Heinrich report on the U.S. naval blockade entering its third day in the Strait of Hormuz, halting economic trade to and from Iran by sea. President Donald Trump believes the conflict is “almost over” and hints at new talks, despite a White House statement denying a formal extension of the ceasefire.
An Iranian general warned Wednesday that Tehran could halt traffic in the Red Sea and other regional shipping lanes if the U.S. military’s blockade of Iranian ports continues.
The comments by Major General Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi from the central headquarters of Khatam-al Anbiya, Iran’s top military command, were broadcast by Iranian state television, Iranian state TV said. Middle eastern eye.
Aliabadi said if the US blockade continues, it will “create insecurity for Iran’s commercial ships and oil tankers” and be “a prelude” to violating the ongoing ceasefire between the US and Iran, the news channel reported.
“The powerful armed forces of the Islamic Republic will not allow any export or import to take place in the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman and the Red Sea,” Aliabadi reportedly added.
LIVE UPDATES: US military maintains blockade on Iranian ports as peace talks about to begin
Units from Iran and Russia conduct joint naval exercises at the port of Bandar Abbas near the Strait of Hormuz in Hormozgan, Iran, on February 19, 2026. (Iranian Army/Anadolu/Getty Images)
“The Iranians’ desperation for a deal will only increase with President Trump’s highly effective naval blockade in place, sending oil tankers into the great, beautiful Gulf of America,” Leavitt said.
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The U.S. Central Command said Tuesday that “U.S. Navy guided missile destroyers are among the assets conducting a blockade mission hitting Iranian ports.” (CENTCOM)
A US official told Reuters the ships left Chabahar port in the Gulf of Oman before being contacted by the US warship via radio communications.
“During the first 48 hours of the U.S. blockade on ships entering and leaving Iranian ports, no ships passed by U.S. forces,” U.S. Central Command said Wednesday.
A ship is seen transiting the Strait of Hormuz during a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran on April 8, 2026. (Shady Alassar/Anadolu/Getty Images)
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“In addition, nine ships responded to instructions from U.S. forces to turn around and return to an Iranian port or coastal area,” the report said.
