President Donald Trump has declared the war with Iran over, a striking assertion made during a Fox News interview with journalist Maria Bartiromo. Bartiromo noted Trump repeatedly referred to the conflict in the past tense, prompting her to ask if it was truly finished, to which he responded, ‘It’s over.’
This claim comes amid a complex backdrop of military and diplomatic maneuvers in the region. Trump’s remarks contrast with the ongoing US naval blockade of Iranian ports, which began earlier this week to sever Tehran’s economic lifelines during a fragile two-week ceasefire. US Central Command reported that no ships passed through the blockade in its first 24 hours, with six merchant vessels complying with orders to return to Iranian ports, though BBC Verify data shows at least four Iran-linked ships and three others crossed the Strait of Hormuz despite the operation.
Adding to the uncertainty, Trump hinted at a potential resumption of talks with Iran as early as this week. In a separate interview with the New York Post, he suggested something could unfold within the next two days, pointing to Islamabad as a likely venue for negotiations. Gulf, Pakistani, and Iranian officials have also indicated that teams from Washington and Tehran may reconvene in Pakistan soon, though no firm date has been set.
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The blockade, targeting Iran’s oil revenue and shipping tolls, has kept global markets on edge, even as Trump’s comments on diplomacy helped push benchmark oil prices below $100 on Tuesday. Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz since US and Israeli airstrikes on February 28 remains a flashpoint, with over a dozen US warships and 10,000 personnel enforcing the restrictions. Meanwhile, China has condemned the blockade as ‘dangerous and irresponsible,’ warning of heightened tensions.
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Separately, a diplomatic breakthrough unfolded in Washington, where Israel and Lebanon agreed to direct negotiations for the first time since 1993, following Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. US officials clarified there is no connection between these talks and the US-Iran discussions.
Previous negotiations in Islamabad collapsed over the weekend, with Iran’s nuclear ambitions a key obstacle. The US pushed for a 20-year suspension of uranium enrichment, while Tehran countered with a five-year halt, per sources close to the talks.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended the blockade’s economic toll, arguing that a ‘small bit of economic pain’ is justified for long-term security. As the ceasefire nears its expiration next week, the International Monetary Fund has warned the conflict risks tipping the global economy into recession.
Trump’s definitive stance on the war’s end raises questions about the blockade’s future. With oil markets showing tentative relief and diplomatic channels potentially reopening, the next 48 hours could prove decisive in shaping the region’s trajectory.
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