Fresh Iran talks could begin this week as US continues blockade on ports

President Donald Trump took fresh aim at Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday, intensifying a public clash over Iran.

“Will someone please tell Pope Leo that Iran has killed at least 42,000 innocent, completely unarmed, protesters in the last two months, and that for Iran to have a Nuclear Bomb is absolutely unacceptable,” Trump posted on Truth Social.

Trump’s comments come after he blasted Pope Leo in a Sunday social media post, labeling the pontiff “WEAK on Crime” and “terrible for Foreign Policy.”

Pope Leo XIV responded Monday, telling reporters, “I have no fear of the Trump administration.”

In a separate Truth Social post Tuesday evening, Trump again criticized NATO, signaling continued frustration with the alliance.

“NATO wasn’t there for us, and they won’t be there for us in the future!” he said.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Adm. Brad Cooper said Tuesday evening that U.S. forces have cut off maritime trade to and from Iran as the military enforces a sweeping blockade of its ports and coastal areas.

“A blockade of Iranian ports has been fully implemented as U.S. forces maintain maritime superiority in the Middle East,” Cooper said in a statement posted on X.

“An estimated 90% of Iran’s economy is fueled by international trade by the sea,” he continued. “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.”

Pakistan on Tuesday reiterated its commitment to helping the U.S. and Iran reach a lasting peace agreement.

Pakistan Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb told The Associated Press that his country’s leadership “is not giving up” on efforts to facilitate negotiations between the U.S. and Iran.

The official emphasized that the two sides have not held direct discussions in nearly 50 years.

“We would very much like to see if we can continue to pursue the dialogue,” he said. “We’ll keep at it, and our leadership is at it.”

U.S. and Iranian officials held talks for roughly 21 hours on Saturday in Pakistan, but did not reach a deal.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Increased imports of Venezuelan crude are helping ease fuel prices for U.S. consumers as the Iran war affects global oil supply, Chevron said Tuesday.

According to CBS News, Andrew Walz, the company’s head of global refining, said the company is running its Mississippi refinery at full capacity to process enough crude and boost output.

A tanker carrying 400,000 barrels of Venezuelan crude will supply that refinery for four days. The oil imports are helping both "bring revenue to Venezuela, and it's helping Americans," Walz said.

“This ship is lowering prices in America because we have access to a new supply point that we didn’t have previously,” Walz added.

Israel allowed a Russian ship carrying stolen Ukrainian grain to dock in Haifa, Ukraine alleges, according to reports.

The Russian vessel ABINSK was loaded by boats sailing from ports in Russian-occupied Ukraine, Ukrainian journalist Kateryna Yaresko of the Myrotvorets Center’s SeaKrime project said.

Ukraine’s attorney general also met with Israel’s ambassador to Kyiv, Michael Brodsky, on Tuesday to ask Israel to stop the ship from leaving the port, according to the Times of Israel.

Ukraine’s foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, also spoke with his Israeli counterpart, Gideon Sa’ar, to discuss the cargo, the outlet said.

Sybiha “drew attention to a Russian vessel carrying grain stolen from Ukraine that was allowed to dock in one of Israel’s ports.”

He also said that the illegal export of stolen Ukrainian agricultural products is “part of Russia’s broader war effort.”

“Such illegal trade with stolen goods must not be allowed,” Sybiha warned.

Ukrainian Ambassador Yevgen Korniychuk met with senior Israeli Foreign Ministry officials on March 27 and had asked them to prevent the ship from docking, Axios reported.

U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyers are among the military assets being used in the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed Tuesday.

“U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyers are among the assets executing a blockade mission affecting Iranian ports,” CENTCOM said in a post shared on X.

“The blockade is being enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or leaving coastal areas or ports in Iran,” it added.

“A typical destroyer has a crew of more than 300 sailors who are highly trained in conducting offensive and defensive maritime operations,” CENTCOM said.

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the war with Iran is “close to over,” according to remarks from an upcoming interview with Maria Bartiromo set to air Wednesday on "Mornings with Maria."

During the interview, Bartiromo pressed Trump on the status of the Iran conflict, asking whether the war had ended.

“I think it’s — I had to divert because if I didn’t do that, right now you’d have Iran with a nuclear weapon,” Trump said.

“And if they had a nuclear weapon, you’d be calling everyone over there ‘sir,’ and you don’t want to do that.”

When asked directly if the war was over, Trump signaled that it was nearing its conclusion.

“I think it’s close to over, yeah,” he said. “I view it as very close to being over,” Trump added.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) on Tuesday showcased flight operations aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, now deployed to the Middle East as part of the U.S. Navy’s carrier strike group presence.

"An air wing plane captain signals during flight operations aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72)," CENTCOM said in a post shared on X.

"Plane captains, wearing brown shirts, are responsible for the safety and integrity of aircraft, including pre- and post-flight preparation," CENTCOM said.

The USS Abraham Lincoln is supporting regional security operations and deterrence efforts amid ongoing tensions with Iran.

Israel’s ambassador to the United States on Tuesday addressed his country’s refusal to allow French involvement in negotiations to disarm Hezbollah and forge a path to peace between Israel and Lebanon.

"I don't want the French near these negotiations; they should be as far away as possible. They are not needed, and they are not a positive influence," Yechiel Leiter said after the meeting with Lebanon’s ambassador to the United States, Nada Hamadeh, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Leiter also described the talks as “a crushing victory over Hezbollah.”

"We are on the same side, we and the Lebanese, that the evil of Hezbollah must be eradicated. We are united in this need. We talked about possibilities, a vision for the long term, about how Lebanon can prosper, and what the border could look like when crossed in a swimsuit to vacation on the beaches of both countries," he said, The Jersualem Post reported.

The Iranian delegation endured security threats while traveling to Pakistan on April 11 for ceasefire talks in Islamabad with the United States, the Jerusalem Post reported Tuesday.

Professor Mohammad Marandi, who was with the delegation, told the Lebanese outlet Al-Mayadeen that officials were warned of a possible attack on their plane, prompting security precautions throughout the trip.

On the return to Tehran, the team took a different route “after confirming that the delegation was under attack,” Marandi said.

“We don’t trust the United States,” said Marandi, adding that Iran is “very busy preparing ourselves for the next round of war.”

He also said that Iran “always knew the United States was deceitful,” and is strengthening its military capabilities “while we are at the negotiating table," according to the report.

Vice President J.D. Vance described the April 11 U.S.-Iran meeting in Islamabad as unprecedented Tuesday while revealing President Donald Trump had directed his team to "negotiate in good faith.”

Speaking at a Turning Point USA (TPUSA) event at the University of Georgia, Vance said the United States had not had meetings at that level with the Iranian government in 47 years.

“It is a meeting that had never before happened. Not Democrat, not Republican. We had never had a meeting like that where you have the person who’s effectively running the country in Iran, sitting across from the vice president of the United States,” he said.

The Iranian delegation, consisting of roughly 70 members, arrived in Islamabad for talks with the U.S. aimed at ending the war in Iran.

The team was led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

Despite longstanding mistrust between Washington and Tehran, Vance said the tone of the negotiations suggested a willingness to reach an agreement.

He attended alongside U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.

“I think the people sitting across from us were wanting to make a deal,” he said before explaining that Trump had told the U.S. delegation to “go out there and negotiate in good faith.”

“That’s what we did. That’s what we’re going to keep on doing,” Vance assured. “I feel very good about where we are,” he added.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent argued Tuesday that limited economic hardship is a necessary trade-off to eliminate the risk of Iran deploying a nuclear weapon.

In an interview with the BBC, Bessent said a "small bit of economic pain for weeks" is worth it.

"I wonder what the hit to global GDP would be if a nuclear weapon hit London…. I am saying that I am less concerned about short-term forecasts than for long-term security," he said.

Bessent also said, "the biggest risk you can take is one you don't know you were taking." and that U.S. and Israeli strikes had removed the "tail risk" of Iranian nuclear strikes against the West.

The Treasury secretary was attending meetings Tuesday surrounding the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings.

His remarks came as the IMF confirmed the U.K. will be among the hardest hit by the Iran war.

Oil-exporting countries like Qatar and Iraq are also forecast to contract, though most are expected to rebound if the conflict ends soon.

Bessent also said the underlying U.S. economy remains strong, and growth could still exceed 3% to 3.5% this year despite the impact of the war with Iran, Reuters reported.

He confirmed tariffs on other countries could return to previous levels by July following a Supreme Court ruling on President Donald Trump’s authority over global duties.

Bessent also took issue with cuts in global growth forecasts and higher inflation projections announced by the IMF and World Bank as a result of the war in the Middle East and said the institutions had probably "overreacted."

Iran is weighing pausing shipments through the Strait of Hormuz to avoid impacting the chance of a new round of peace talks, according to reports.

The potential pause reflects Tehran's wish to help ease the path toward an agreement on the time and place for fresh discussions.

Bloomberg reported the objective is to hold more discussions before an April 21 ceasefire expires, according to a source.

One proposal is for the talks to return to Pakistan though other venues are being considered.

“If Iran does indeed pause shipments, it would be a sign its government too seeks de-escalation and to avoid the resumption of the hot war,” said Rachel Ziemba, a senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security.

“Pausing shipping would add to the oil market outages temporarily, though global markets would likely focus on the possibility of agreement, not the short-term outage.”

Oil prices slumped and stocks gained on Tuesday as expectations grew that a peace deal may yet be achieved.

Brent crude traded more than 4% lower, dropping to just over $95 per barrel, Bloomberg reported.

Tensions between Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni escalated Tuesday after the U.S. president publicly rebuked one of his closest European allies, accusing her of lacking "courage" and failing to support Washington’s efforts against Iran.

In a phone interview with Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Sera, Trump called Meloni "unacceptable" and said he was "shocked" by her stance, according to the outlet’s English-language version.

The dispute with Trump was further fueled by Meloni’s criticism of his recent remarks targeting Pope Leo XIV, which she called "unacceptable," prompting Trump to respond that "she is the one who is unacceptable."

In a scathing rebuke of the Vatican’s call for Middle Eastern de-escalation, President Trump took to Truth Social to blast Pope Leo XIV.

Labeling the Pontiff "WEAK on Crime" and "terrible for Foreign Policy," Trump warned him to "focus on being a Great Pope, not a Politician."

The post, which quickly went viral, accused the first American Pope of "catering to the Radical Left" at the expense of global security.

In the interview to Corriere della Sera Trump also reiterated criticism of Pope Leo XIV, saying the pontiff "has no idea what’s going on in Iran" and "doesn’t understand" what is at stake.

She "isn’t giving us any help, I’m shocked by her," Trump said about Meloni in the six-minute conversation.

He went further, accusing Meloni of relying on Washington while refusing to act.

"They depend on Donald Trump to keep it open," he said, referring to global energy routes through the Strait of Hormuz.

This is an excerpt from a report by Efrat Lachter.

The U.S. Department of State said Tuesday that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to “launch direct negotiations” to end fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon following a trilateral meeting Tuesday.

In a statement, the Department of State said the participants held “productive discussions” before offering congratulations to the two countries on this “historic milestone” and expressing its support for further talks.

The statement also said that the U.S. hoped talks can “exceed the scope of the 2024 agreement and bring about a comprehensive peace deal.”

“The United States expressed its support for Israel’s right to defend itself from Hezbollah’s continued attacks,” it said.

The U.S. affirmed that any agreement to cease hostilities must be reached between the two governments, brokered by the United States, and not through any separate track.

The statement also confirmed that Israel expressed its support for “disarming all non-state terror groups and dismantling all terror infrastructure in Lebanon,” as well as its commitment to working with the Government of Lebanon to achieve that goal to ensure security for the people of both countries.

The State of Lebanon reaffirmed the urgent need for the full implementation of the cessation of hostilities announcement of November 2024.

“All sides agreed to launch direct negotiations at a mutually agreed time and venue,” the statement said.

The meeting was attended by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Counselor Michael Needham, U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Lisa A. Johnson, Ambassador of Israel to the United States Yechiel Leiter, and Lebanese Ambassador to the United States Nada Hamadeh Moawad.

The US Treasury said Tuesday that a short-term authorization allowing the sale of Iranian oil stranded at sea will expire April 19 and will not be renewed.

The department’s move aligns with efforts to act “aggressively” and apply pressure on Iran.

“Treasury is moving aggressively with Economic Fury, maintaining maximum pressure on Iran,” the department said in a post shared on X.

“Financial institutions should be on notice that the department is leveraging the full range of available tools and authorities and is prepared to deploy secondary sanctions against foreign financial institutions that continue to support Iran’s activities,” it said.

“The short-term authorization permitting the sale of Iranian oil already stranded at sea is set to expire in a few days and will not be renewed,” the Treasury added.

Iran’s foreign minister has praised Spain’s “principled and honorable” position opposing U.S. and Israeli military action against Iran, the country’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement Tuesday, according to Iran International.

Speaking with his Spanish counterpart, José Manuel Albares and Abbas Araghchi said Iran has responded positively to mediation efforts aimed at establishing a ceasefire and ending the war in the Middle East.

Araghchi also added, “The realization of this requires the United States to fulfill its commitments to stop the war and the Israeli regime’s escalation in Lebanon.”

European officials are making plans for a postwar coalition to safeguard shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, possibly without U.S. involvement, according to reports.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the proposal focuses on mine clearing and maritime security once hostilities subside and aims to free up shipping and provide confidence in using the strait.

French President Emmanuel Macron said the initiative would exclude “belligerent” parties—specifically the United States, Israel, and Iran—while European diplomats told the outlet any deployed vessels would not operate under U.S. command.

The effort is expected to include several European nations, potentially including Germany, according to officials.

The U.S. won’t attend, French and British officials told the outlet.

Meanwhile, a planned video conference is set for Friday, co-hosted by Macron and Prime Minister Keir Starmer, where dozens of countries are expected to weigh options for securing the waterway, according to reports.

The initiative follows earlier attempts by President Donald Trump to rally international support during the conflict, which met with limited success.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said Tuesday that American forces are enforcing a naval blockade on Iranian ports, marking an increase in U.S. military activity in the region.

“An F-35B stealth fighter jet is prepared for flight aboard the USS Tripoli (LHA 7) as the amphibious assault ship sails in the Arabian Sea,” CENTCOM said in a post shared on X.

“Tripoli and its 3,500 sailors and embarked Marines are executing the mission to blockade ships entering and departing Iranian ports. The blockade is being enforced impartially against vessels of all nations,” CENTCOM added.

The U.S. Navy currently has at least 18 ships in the Middle East, according to ship-tracking data and Navy sources. The blockade operation began April 13.

Internal disagreements within Iran’s negotiating team prompted the suspension of U.S. talks in Islamabad and their return to Tehran April 11, according to sources cited by Iran International.

The decision to leave also followed an order from a top security official after tensions escalated, the outlet said Tuesday.

Sources said Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi showed flexibility in discussions with the United States, particularly on potentially reducing financial and military support for the so-called Axis of Resistance, including Hezbollah.

This stance triggered a strong backlash from Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council.

Zolghadr also reportedly submitted a critical report to senior leadership and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commanders, accusing the delegation of straying beyond its mandate and engaging in unauthorized discussions.

The report intensified anger at the highest levels of Iran’s leadership, but after consultations involving senior officials, including Supreme Leader Adviser Hossein Taeb, authorities ordered the delegation to return to Tehran.

President Massoud Pezeshkian, the sources said, has also grown frustrated with the political deadlock and diminishing authority within the government.

Seventeen countries called for Lebanon to be included in broader regional de-escalation efforts, according to a joint statement issued Tuesday by their foreign ministers.

The statement was released by the foreign ministers of Australia, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

The nations' ministers emphasized the need to incorporate Lebanon into ongoing diplomatic efforts and urged all parties to pursue a sustainable political resolution.

"The continuation of the war in Lebanon puts at risk the current regional de-escalation, which we have welcomed and must be fully respected by all parties," the foreign ministers said in a statement.

The ministers also expressed support for "the initiative by President Aoun to open direct talks with Israel," noting that the effort is being facilitated by the United States.

At the same time, they called on "all parties to urgently de-escalate and seize the opportunity offered by the ceasefire between the United States and Iran."

The statement praised recent actions by the Lebanese government, including measures "to ban Hezbollah’s military activities."

The ministers highlighted "its decision to reinforce the full imposition of state authority over Beirut and to have the sole monopoly on weapons, and we encourage full and swift implementation."

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres spoke at the United Nations on Tuesday about the situation in the Middle East, expressing cautious optimism that diplomatic efforts to end the Iran war could soon restart.

His remarks come amid signals from President Donald Trump that negotiations may be back on track.

Trump also said on Tuesday that Iran talks “could be happening over the next two days” in Pakistan’s capital, according to an interview with the New York Post.

When asked what the U.N. knew about talks resuming, Guterres told reporters: "The indication we have is that it is highly probable that these talks will restart."

"My message is that diplomacy must prevail. And diplomacy requires sincere dialogue," he added.

Guterres also said he met with the deputy prime minister of Pakistan and praised Pakistan’s efforts to support peace initiatives in the region.

UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves has criticized President Donald Trump over the economic fallout from the Iran war, calling it a “folly” to proceed without a clear exit plan.

Speaking to the Mirror ahead of a trip to Washington, D.C., for the IMF and World Bank’s spring meetings, Reeves said she was “angry” about the conflict.

"This is a war that we did not start. It was a war that we did not want. I feel very frustrated and angry that the US went into this war without a clear exit plan, without a clear idea of what they were trying to achieve," Reeves told the outlet.

"And as a result, the Strait of Hormuz is now blocked," the Chancellor said.

"We are hosting a conference this week with President Macron of France on how to secure passage through the Strait of Hormuz," Reeves explained.

Reeves added that “no sensible person is a supporter of the Iranian regime,” but warned that entering a conflict without clear objectives risks global consequences, describing it as “a folly” and one that is affecting families in the UK, the US and around the world.

Her comments come as the UK’s economic growth forecast has been cut as a result of the Iran conflict.

President Donald Trump is set to meet with U.S. Ambassador to China David Perdue Tuesday, as the administration prepares for a high-stakes summit between the U.S. president and Chinese President Xi Jinping in May. 

The talks are expected to focus on both escalating tensions in the Middle East and the broader U.S.–China relationship, as Washington weighs its approach to Beijing ahead of the summit.

The meeting comes just after the U.S. launched a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, where China remains the largest buyer of Iranian crude amid the conflict between the U.S., Iran and Israel.

The blockade risks pulling China more directly into the conflict. Any effort to enforce it against shipments bound for China could trigger a confrontation between the world’s two largest economies.

"This will only aggravate confrontation, escalate tension, undermine the already fragile ceasefire and further jeopardize safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said of the blockade Tuesday in a daily press conference. "It is a dangerous and irresponsible move." 

The meeting also comes amid reports that China supplied Iran with weapons, which Chinese officials dismissed as "completely made up." Trump has threatened China with 50% tariffs if the reports are accurate.

This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News' Morgan Phillips.

Tensions between Israel and Turkey are escalating sharply, with a war of words between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reaching new heights and placing President Donald Trump in an increasingly delicate position between the two sides as tension escalates. 

The latest flare-up underscores a broader geopolitical clash about Iran, Gaza and regional influence, even as Washington attempts to maintain cooperation with both sides.

Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan accused Israel of deliberately seeking a new adversary following its confrontation with Iran, saying the Israeli government is attempting to portray Ankara as its next enemy.

"After Iran, Israel cannot live without an enemy," Fidan said in a televised interview with the state-run Anadolu news agency. "We see that not only Netanyahu’s administration but also some figures in the opposition — though not all — are seeking to declare Turkey the new enemy," he said.

The rhetoric reflects a sharp deterioration in relations that have been strained since Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, attack and the war in Gaza, but have now escalated into direct confrontation between the two leaders.

Netanyahu, in remarks posted on X Saturday, accused Erdoğan of siding with Iran and its proxies, writing that Israel "will continue to fight Iran’s terror regime… unlike Erdogan who accommodates them and massacred his own Kurdish citizens."

Erdoğan has intensified his criticism of Israel’s military campaign, accusing its leadership of war crimes and backing international legal action against Israeli officials.

In one of the most incendiary exchanges, Turkey’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement claiming, "Netanyahu, who has been described as the Hitler of our time due to the crimes he has committed, is a well-known figure with a clear track record. An arrest warrant has been issued against Netanyahu by the International Criminal Court on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Under Netanyahu’s administration, Israel is facing proceedings before the International Court of Justice on charges of genocide."

This is an excerpt from an article By Fox News' Efrat Lachter.

President Donald Trump says peace talks with Iran could take place over the next two days on Tuesday.

Trump made the statement in a phone interview with the New York Post, complimenting Pakistani Field Marshal Gen. Asim Munir on making progress with Iran.

“You should stay there, really, because something could be happening over the next two days, and we’re more inclined to go there,” Trump said of Islamabad. “It’s more likely, you know why? Because the field marshal is doing a great job.”

“He’s fantastic, and therefore it’s more likely that we go back there,” he said “Why should we go to some country that has nothing to do with it?”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with ambassadors from Israel and Lebanon at the White House on Tuesday in an effort to create a "permanent and lasting peace" between the two countries.

Israel's campaign against Hezbollah has strained tensions with Lebanon, and Rubio emphasized that the Lebanese people are victims of the Iran-backed terrorist group just as Israelis are.

Iran has demanded that Israel's attacks on Hezbollah stop amid ceasefire with the U.S., though U.S. officials said a ceasefire in Lebanon was not part of the initial agreement.

U.S. Central Command says it successfully blocked all vessels traveling to and from Iranian ports and coastal areas in the first 24 hours of President Donald Trump's blockade.

CENTCOM says the blockade is being enforced "impartially against vessels of all nations" entering an exiting Iranian ports. It added that six merchant vessels complied with U.S. directions to turn around,

More than 10,000 U.S. servicemembers are participating in the blockade, including over 100 aircraft and 18 warships.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says the price hikes seen since the Iran war are "transient" and he predicted that inflation will fall quickly once the conflict ends.

Bessent made the statement Tuesday as the U.S. enforces a blockade on Iranian ports.

"There is nothing more transient than what we are seeing now. So, you know, the conflict will end, prices will come down, and then headline inflation will come down. And with that, gasoline prices will come down. We've seen them edging back down in the past ten days," Bessent said.

Bessent went on to say that the U.S. will not allow passage for any countries or companies that pay Iran's fee for passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

China slammed the ongoing U.S. military blockade of the Strait of Hormuz Tuesday as a "dangerous and irresponsible move." 

The remark from Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun came after the U.S. began enforcing a blockade on Iranian ports in key waterway at 10 a.m. ET on Monday. President Donald Trump ordered the blockade after peace talks with Tehran collapsed this weekend.

"With the temporary ceasefire agreement still in place, the United States ramped up military deployment and resorted to a targeted blockade. This will only aggravate confrontation, escalate tension, undermine the already fragile ceasefire and further jeopardize safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz," Guo said. "It is a dangerous and irresponsible move." 

"China believes that only a complete ceasefire can fundamentally create conditions for easing the situation. We urge relevant parties to honor the ceasefire agreement, stick to the direction of peace talks and take concrete actions to deescalate the situation so that normal traffic via the Strait will be able to resume as soon as possible," he added.

The White House did not immediately respond Tuesday to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.

The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway between Iran, Oman and the United Arab Emirates, is one of the world’s most critical energy choke points. It carries roughly 20 million barrels of oil a day, along with about one-fifth of global liquefied natural gas. 

This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News' Greg Norman.

This is an excerpt from an opinion article by Fox News Contributor Hugh Hewitt.

From the moment the talks between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran commenced in Islamabad, Pakistan on Saturday, only one of three results could follow: Munich, 1938 with the U.S. appeasing Iran; Reykjavík, 1986 with diplomatic deadlock; or Appomattox, 1865 with the exhausted and broken Iranians surrendering to the reality of hard power.

Turns out it was Reykjavík 2.0 with Vice President JD Vance instead of President Reagan exiting the meetings looking stone-faced and irritated as he announced an end to the talks and the departure of the United States delegation.

A blockade of all shipping from all Iranian ports commenced Monday at 10 AM pursuant to President Trump’s order to the U.S. Navy. The Navy has already commenced mine-clearing operations in the international waters in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday — during the talks. Quite a signal, that.

President Trump has indicated that renewed strikes on the teetering Islamic Republic of Iran are possible as well. Israel continues to pummel Hezbollah, Iran’s proxy in Lebanon.

It was a very bad weekend for terrorists in the Middle East as well as for the mother ship regime that supports them all in Tehran. The ayatollahs and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps that prop them up are down to their fifth-string "generals," and the impotent "elected officials" of Iran who have never had other than the power the IRGC allocated to them.

The Iranian regime has survived on terror and bluster for 47 years. Now, it’s on the edge of collapse because of Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The U.S. and Iran have "all the ingredients of a deal" but have yet to come to a final agreement, a senior U.S. official told Fox News' Bill Hemmer on Tuesday.

"A lot is happening today and tomorrow. We have all the ingredients of a deal, but it's not all there yet," the official told Hemmer.

The official added that President Donald Trump's blockade on Iranian ports has Tehran "really fearful" and more open to making a deal.

Regional concern is growing that Iran will instruct its Houthi allies in Yemen to target sea traffic in Bab el-Mandeb, the gateway to the Red Sea.

Fox News' Chief Foreign Correspondent Trey Yingst reported on the potential move on Tuesday, noting that it would further restrict the global oil trade.

French President Emmanuel Macron urged the U.S. and Iran to restart peace negotiations and reopen the Strait of Hormuz "without restrictions" on Tuesday.

Macron said in a post on X that he spoke with both President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday.

"I urged the resumption of the negotiations suspended in Islamabad, the clearing up of misunderstandings, and the avoidance of any further escalation," Macron said. "It is essential, in particular, that the ceasefire be strictly respected by all parties and that it include Lebanon."

"It is equally important that the Strait of Hormuz be reopened unconditionally, without restrictions or tolls, as soon as possible," he continued. "Under these conditions, negotiations should be able to resume quickly, with the support of the key parties concerned."

The United States began enforcing a naval blockade targeting Iranian maritime traffic Monday, sharply escalating tensions in the Gulf just hours after high-level talks in Pakistan between Washington and Tehran collapsed without a deal.

The move, announced by President Donald Trump, came after negotiations in Islamabad ended without a breakthrough, despite what participants described as rare direct engagement between the two sides.

But Lt. Gen. (ret.) Mohammed Saeed, former chief of general staff of the Pakistan Army, said in an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital that the talks came far closer to success than their outcome suggests — and argued that diplomacy is still within reach.

"Both sides are saying they were very close … even inches away from a solution," he said based on his own knowledge and reports. Saeed retired in 2023 but remained part of the core team handling operational planning, internal security coordination, and sensitive periods of political tension. 

"They talked to each other in a very friendly manner. There was, from both sides, an expression of accommodation and understanding from each other. So, what you can briefly say is that the engagement has sufficient potential to resume."

Speaking at the White House Monday, Trump defended the blockade, saying, "Right now, there’s no fighting. Right now, we have a blockade … Iran is doing absolutely no business, and we’re going to keep it that way very easily."

He added that Iran’s military capabilities had been significantly degraded, saying its "Navy has gone, their air force is gone, their anti-aircraft is gone, their radar is gone and their leaders are gone."

This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News' Efrat Lachter.

President Donald Trump said that Iran’s navy is "completely obliterated," but the small, fast attack vessels the U.S. did not prioritize remain among the most dangerous threats to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump said 158 Iranian vessels were destroyed in U.S.–Israeli strikes and warned that any remaining boats approaching U.S. forces would be "immediately eliminated" as the military moves to enforce a blockade of the strait.

But defense analysts say those smaller vessels — along with mines, drones and coastal missile systems — form the backbone of Iran’s strategy in the narrow waterway, allowing Tehran to disrupt traffic without fully shutting it down.

Recent reporting indicates more than 60% of Iran’s fast attack fleet — operated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps — remains intact despite weeks of strikes that officials say sank more than 150 larger vessels.

Those smaller, fast-moving boats — along with mines, drones and coastal missile systems — form the backbone of Iran’s asymmetric strategy, giving Tehran enough capability to disrupt traffic through the Strait of Hormuz without fully shutting it down.

Roughly a fifth of the world’s oil supply moves through the strait, and analysts say Iran does not need to block it outright to have a global impact.

This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News' Morgan Phillips.

Western democracies, including the UK, France, Canada and Australia, are facing backlash after allowing Iran and other authoritarian regimes to secure seats on influential United Nations (U.N.) bodies, with the United States standing alone in opposition.

The controversy stems from decisions by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), a 54-member body that plays a central role in shaping U.N. policy and staffing key committees.

Critics warn the outcome could allow governments accused of human rights abuses to influence global policy and control which civil society groups are granted access to the United Nations.

ECOSOC nominated the Islamic Republic of Iran to the U.N.’s Committee for Program and Coordination Wednesday, a body that helps shape policy on human rights, women’s rights, disarmament and counterterrorism.

The nomination is widely expected to be finalized, as the United Nations General Assembly typically approves such recommendations without a vote.

At the same session, ECOSOC elected China, Cuba, Nicaragua, Saudi Arabia and Sudan to the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations, which oversees accreditation and access for thousands of NGOs operating within the U.N. system.

The United States was the only member state to formally break from consensus.

In remarks delivered April 8, U.S. Representative to ECOSOC Ambassador Dan Negrea said the U.S. "disassociates from consensus" on both decisions, calling several of the countries involved unfit for such roles.

"The regime threatens its neighbors and has, for decades, infringed on the Iranian people’s ability to exercise their basic human rights," Negrea said, adding that "we believe Iran is unfit to serve" on the committee.

This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News' Efrat Lachter.

New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman said he's "torn" about efforts to remove the Iranian regime over concerns it would politically benefit President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"I find myself, Michael, in a situation where I really want to see Iran defeated militarily," Friedman told CNN host Michael Smerconish on Saturday. "Because this regime is a terrible regime for its people in the region."

"And nothing would improve the region more than the replacement of this regime with the regime in Iran that was focused on enabling its people to realize their full potential and integrating peacefully with other countries and stop occupying Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen. So, I'm all for that," Friedman continued.

Friedman then turned to what he calls the "problem" of a successful regime change in Tehran.

"The problem is I really don‘t want to see Bibi Netanyahu or Donald Trump politically strengthened by this war because they are two awful human beings," the Times columnist said. "They are both engaged in anti-democratic projects in their own countries. They‘re both alleged crooks. They are terrible, terrible people doing terrible things to America‘s standing in the world and Israel's standing in the world."

"And so I really find myself torn. I want to see Iran militarily defeated, but I do not want to see these two terrible people strengthened," he added.

The "torn" feelings from the New York Times columnist sparked a lot of attention among critics.

"What kind of sick hate must @tomfriedman have that he roots for USA to lose to a terrorist regime who has killed thousands of Americans?" Trump's Israel Ambassador Mike Huckabee reacted.

This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News' Joseph Wulfsohn.

The Chinese-owned oil and chemical tanker Rich Starry successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday amid a U.S. blockade on Iranian ports.

The Rich Starry was the first vessel to cross the strait since the U.S. imposed its blockade on Monday. The ship was initially turned back on Monday but was successful on its second attempt to cross.

The U.S. blockade only applies to vessels traveling to or from Iranian ports, and the Rich Starry was transiting the strait from the United Arab Emirates and was therefore allowed to pass.

France’s President Emmanuel Macron is facing renewed criticism for his lack of support for President Donald Trump’s war against Iran and demands to include Lebanon in the current ceasefire as historic talks between Israel and Lebanon are set to begin Tuesday.

The historic meeting brokered by President Trump between Lebanon, a former French mandate, and Israel will take place at the ambassador level as hopes for an agreement evolve ­— most noticeably without French involvement. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to host both nations' ambassadors.

The Jerusalem Post reported that Israel’s government requested that France be excluded from the talks. An Israeli official told the paper that "France’s conduct over the past year – including initiatives aimed at limiting Israel’s ability to fight in Iran, and a complete lack of willingness to take concrete steps to help Lebanon disarm Hezbollah – has led Israel to view France as an unfair mediator."

On Monday, Hezbollah chief Naim ​Qassem on Monday ‌called on the Lebanese government to ​cancel the ​Tuesday meeting in Washington, while ⁠describing the talks as pointless. In ​a televised ​speech, Qassem said the ‌armed ⁠group will continue to confront Israeli attacks on ​Lebanon.

Hezbollah violated a ceasefire to enter the war on its patron, Iran’s side, in March when it launched rockets into Israel after the U.S.-Israel joint attack on the Islamic Republic began, still Macron has demanded Israel stop attacking Hezbollah's terror infrastructure in Lebanon.

Israeli Brig. General (Res.) Yosef Kuperwasser told Fox News Digital that Macron was "working against the best interests of the Lebanese state and government. This is a very problematic direction." He accused Macron of "taking the side of Hezbollah and normalizing Hezbollah because he is focused on "narrow interests."

The former head of research for the Israel Defense Forces’ Military Intelligence Directorate, Kuperwasser, added that the "Americans want us to engage with the Lebanese along with the military [in Lebanon]. Our expectations are very similar. We want to see Lebanon do something about Hezbollah, something real, not just issue statements and pledges. We believe we have helped them by weakening Hezbollah militarily since they decided to launch missiles on March 2. If there is a breakthrough, Lebanon has a lot to gain," but said it has to "disarm Hezbollah."

The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not immediately respond to a Fox News Digital request for comment.

This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News Benjamin Weinthal.

A second round of face-to-face negotiations between Iran and the United States is being discussed, The Associated Press reported Monday.

The fresh talks could also take place as early as Thursday, according to the report.

Citing officials familiar with the matter, the report said the talks would aim to secure a deal to end the six-week war before the ceasefire expires April 21.

A diplomat from one of the mediating countries said Tehran and Washington have agreed in principle to hold the talks.

It is unclear whether the same level of delegation would attend, according to the diplomat and U.S. officials.

Islamabad, Pakistan, is also being considered again as a potential host, while Geneva is also under discussion, officials said.

Fox News' Landon Mion contributed to this report.