Trump confirms US naval blockade of Iran ports will remain until deal is signed
Washington maintains maritime pressure on Tehran while outlining specific milestones for the conclusion of diplomatic talks.
US President Donald Trump has stated that diplomatic negotiations with Iran are proceeding in an "orderly and constructive manner," while explicitly cautioning against rushing the process. The comments come as the two nations navigate a complex period of engagement regarding sovereignty and nuclear issues, with the White House emphasising a measured approach to the ongoing talks.
In a statement reported by CNBC, President Trump confirmed that the US naval blockade of Iranian ports would remain in effect until a formal agreement is reached, certified, and signed. This clarification underscores the administration’s stance that maritime pressure will not be lifted until all procedural steps for a final accord are completed, rather than merely upon the initial reaching of terms.
The diplomatic landscape has seen recent activity, including a summit between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. Discussions at the summit covered trade, artificial intelligence, and regional tensions, highlighting the broader geopolitical context in which the Iran negotiations are taking place.
On the Iranian side, officials have characterised the current proposal as a framework agreement designed to establish broad principles. Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, indicated that detailed negotiations are expected to follow over a 30 to 60-day window. Iranian state-linked media, including Fars news agency, have reported on the potential scope of such an agreement.
Despite the US description of the talks as constructive, Iranian officials have pushed back against characterisations that the deal is near-final. While the framework nature of the current proposal is acknowledged by Tehran, the specific terms remain undefined, and the timeline for the subsequent detailed negotiations has not been independently verified by US sources.
