Peace negotiations that might finally conclude America’s long-standing conflict in the Middle East have commenced, with President Donald Trump asserting that Iran is “facing significant losses” in a forceful post on Truth Social.
Trump stated that U.S. and allied forces have successfully dismantled Iran’s naval and air capabilities, as well as its leadership. He also criticized international allies, accusing them of lacking the “courage or determination” to secure the crucial Strait of Hormuz—an effort he claims the U.S. is now undertaking as a “favor” to the global community.
“Most importantly, their long-time ‘Leaders’ are no longer with us, praise be to Allah! The only threat left is the possibility of a ship striking one of their sea mines. Incidentally, all 28 of their mine-dropping vessels now lie at the sea’s bottom,” Trump proclaimed.
According to U.S. officials, Iran has lost control of several naval mines positioned in the Strait of Hormuz, posing a substantial danger in this vital passageway.
These mines were placed without careful documentation, resulting in drifting explosives that could obstruct efforts to safely reopen the waterway to international shipping, as reported by the New York Times.
The situation is exacerbated by a shortage of resources, as neither the U.S. nor Iran has the necessary mine-clearing equipment for a swift resolution. Concerns persist that Iran might be deliberately withholding the mines’ locations to gain leverage in ongoing negotiations.
Earlier this morning, Trump revealed that official peace talks with Iran have started – and declared that ships across the globe are heading to the United States to ‘load up with oil.’
Trump touted America’s domestic oil and gas supply following a recent post on his Truth Social platform, in a phone interview with NewsNation on Saturday morning.
The remarks come amid heightened global anxiety over the blockaded Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for the world’s energy shipments.
‘Take a look out of the great seas of our world many of them heading to the United States to load up with oil, we have plenty of it,’ Trump stated during the call.
The president clarified that America’s booming oil activity isn’t solely due to Iran’s refusal to open the Strait of Hormuz, predicting that the vital waterway will be open in the ‘not too distant future.’
Taking a direct swipe at Tehran, Trump branded Iran a ‘failing nation.’
However, he also hinted at new strategic workarounds for the global oil trade that would bypass the troubled waters of the Middle East entirely.
‘I think people are seeing there are other alternatives to going through the Strait,’ Trump noted.
Vance waves hello upon his arrival for the US-Iran peace talks in Islamabad on April 11
Despite his long–standing skepticism of foreign intervention and initial doubts about targeting Iran, Vance has spent weeks quietly maneuvering to secure a permanent diplomatic agreement, according to two sources familiar with plans
Oil tankers and cargo ships line up in the Strait of Hormuz as seen from the United Arab Emirates. According to a Daily Mail/JL Partners flash poll of over 1,000 registered voters, the nation is split on whether the US should withdraw from NATO following the refusal of other member states to contribute military support for reopening the Strait of Hormuz
When pressed on whether diplomatic talks with Iran have officially started, Trump gave a definitive ‘yes.’
Asked if he feels the Iranians are acting in good faith during these high-stakes negotiations, Trump offered a cryptic but confident timeline for when the world will find out.
‘I’ll let you know that in a very short period of time, won’t take long,’ he said.
The call follows Trump’s latest Truth Social post highlighting US energy dominance as tensions in the Middle East continue to threaten global supply chains.
A Pakistani source confirms that Witkoff, Vance, and Kushner are holding face-to-face talks with Iranian officials Qalibaf and Araqchi, as well as Pakistan’s army chief.
On Thursday, Trump blasted Tehran’s handling of the waterway, writing: ‘Iran is doing a very poor job, dishonorable some would say, of allowing Oil to go through the Strait of Hormuz. That is not the agreement we have!’
He specifically addressed reports that Iran has been attempting to extort tankers, warning: ‘There are reports that Iran is charging fees to tankers going through the Hormuz Strait — They better not be and, if they are, they better stop now!’
Trump concluded the post with a display of energy independence, stating: ‘You’ll see Oil start flowing, with or without the help of Iran and, to me, it makes no difference, either way.’
Tehran has said it needed a ‘definitive end to the conflict’, outlining its need for the ‘end to conflicts in the region, a protocol for safe passage through the Strait, reconstruction and the lifting of sanctions.’
A view of the vessels passing through Strait of Hormuz following the two-week temporary ceasefire reached between the United States and Iran on the condition that the strait be reopened
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF PAKISTAN: US delegation including special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner is welcomed by Ishak Dar, Pakistan Foreign Minister, and Asim Munir, the Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan, upon their arrival in Islamabad, Pakistan
Iran has claimed the United States has agreed to release billions in frozen assets, but the administration has swiftly denied any such move as JD Vance holds these high-stakes peace talks in Islamabad.
A senior Iranian source said the US had agreed to unfreeze funds held in Qatar and other foreign banks, describing it as a sign of Washington’s ‘seriousness’ in negotiations.
But a US official quickly rejected the claim, underlining the deep mistrust hanging over the talks.
Unfreezing the assets was also said to be directly linked to ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
According to Iranian state media, Tehran has already set out its ‘red lines’ for any deal, including guarantees over the Strait of Hormuz, the payment of war reparations, the release of blocked assets and a ceasefire across the wider region.
