Iran MP warns regional states to expel US forces

US Marines boarded an Iranian-flagged commercial oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman on Wednesday on suspicion it was attempting to violate the US blockade by transiting toward an Iranian port, US Central Command said on X.

“American forces released the vessel after searching and directing the ship’s crew to alter course,” CENTCOM added.

US forces have redirected 91 commercial ships under the US blockade on Iran, CENTCOM said.

Iran’s foreign ministry said Wednesday that the United States must demonstrate its “goodwill” by ending what Tehran described as “piracy” against Iranian vessels, amid fragile diplomacy and continuing tensions over shipping in the Persian Gulf.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei told Iranian state television that Washington needed to stop actions targeting Iranian ships if it wanted to show seriousness about negotiations.

Baghaei also confirmed that Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi is currently in Tehran to help facilitate the exchange of messages, according to Iranian media.

President Donald Trump warned that the United States could strike Iran even harder if needed.

“They will not have a nuclear weapon and they want to make a deal so badly,” Trump said. “We'll see what happens.”

“We may have to hit them even harder, but maybe not,” he added. “But we're not going to let Iran have a nuclear weapon and blow up… Israel and the entire Middle East.”

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Iran’s navy and air force were gone and that the only question was whether the United States would finish the job or Iran would sign an agreement.

“Everything’s gone. Their navy’s gone. Their air force is gone. Just about everything,” Trump said in a commencement address at the US Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut.

“The only question is, do we go and finish it up? Are they going to be signing a document? Let’s see what happens,” he added.

Oil prices fell more than 5% on Wednesday as President Donald Trump attempted to reassure markets with optimistic comments about negotiations with Iran.

Brent crude dropped to $105.70 as traders reacted to signs that Washington and Tehran may be moving closer to a deal that could avert another round of attacks and ease fears of prolonged supply disruption in the Middle East.

Trump said negotiations with Iran were in the “final stages” but warned that the United States could launch further attacks unless Tehran agrees to a peace deal.