Talks to end Iran war likely to restart soon, UN chief says

Blockade halted all sea trade to/from Iran in under 36 hours. 90% of Iran’s economy relies on maritime trade, CENTCOM commander posted on X on Tuesday.

"A blockade of Iranian ports has been fully implemented as US forces maintain maritime superiority in the middle east. An estimated 90% of Iranians economy is fueled by International trade by sea. In less that 36 hours, since the blockade was implemented, US forces have completely halted economic trade going into and out of Iran buy sea, "Admiral Brad Cooper, CENTCOM Commander said.

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday the conflict with Iran is “very close to over” and defended recent US actions as necessary to prevent Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, in a preview of an interview with Fox News set to air tomorrow.

Trump said he acted to stop Iran from developing a nuclear weapon and suggested the country would take years to recover from the damage, while adding that negotiations could still continue.

“I think it’s very close to over… If I pulled up stakes right now, it would take them 20 years to rebuild that country,” Trump said. "And we're not finished. We'll see what happens. I think they want to make a deal very badly."

Chevron said on Tuesday increased imports of Venezuelan crude are helping ease fuel prices for US consumers as the war with Iran tightens global supply, CBS News reported.

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

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

Deputy White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller said on Tuesday the US blockade on Iran represents a fundamental shift in American global power, arguing it will reshape the geopolitical order for decades.

"President Trump has put Iran in a box. He's played the CheckMate move. And so now no matter what path Iran chooses, America wins. If Iran chooses the path of a deal, then that's great for the world. That's great for everybody. If Iran chooses the path of economic strangulation by blockade, then the world will pass Iran by," Miller said on Fox.

"New Energy routes will be established. New supply chains will be established. Other nations throughout the region, throughout the world, and especially America, will power the world, and Iran will become a footnote. So that's the choice Iran has, and President Trump has put America into a win-win posture," he added.

US Navy guided-missile destroyers are among the assets carrying out a blockade mission targeting Iranian ports, US Central Command - CENTCOM posted on X on Tuesday.

"The blockade is being enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or leaving coastal areas or ports in Iran. A typical destroyer has a crew of more than 300 Sailors that are highly trained in conducting offensive and defensive maritime operations," the post said.