Cargo ships in the Gulf near the Strait of Hormuz, seen from northern Ras al-Khaimah near Oman’s Musandam, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, United Arab Emirates, March 11, 2026. (Reuters)
Dubai: The leader of Iran’s joint military command has warned Tehran could halt trade through the Gulf if the United States does not lift its naval blockade of Iranian ports. President Donald Trump said in an interview that the war with Iran was “very close to over.”
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington is preparing to tighten economic pressure on Iran by imposing secondary sanctions on financial institutions that deal with Tehran, calling the move the “financial equivalent” of the bombing campaign.
Mediators reported progress toward extending a US-Iran ceasefire, with another round of negotiations expected. A senior US official, however, said Washington has not formally agreed to extend the truce. A Pakistani delegation arrived in Tehran as part of diplomatic outreach.
Israel is continuing aerial and ground operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, a day after the two sides held their first direct talks in decades.
Developments through the day:
– China urged Iran to guarantee freedom and safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi in a phone call — Beijing’s first such appeal since Iran began restricting the waterway.
– Optimism for a broader Middle East deal grew as Israel discussed a possible ceasefire in Lebanon. Israel’s Cabinet met to consider a truce more than six weeks into fighting with Iran-backed Hezbollah. Trump said leaders would hold talks, and reports cited Lebanese officials saying a ceasefire could be announced soon.
– Nepali national Amrit Jha, a ship captain detained by Iranian authorities while transporting fuel between Dubai and Iran, was released by court order. He had reportedly been taken into custody from Qeshm Island near the Strait of Hormuz.
– US Central Command chief Adm. Brad Cooper said the blockade has been fully implemented, reporting that no vessels passed US forces during the first 48 hours and that 10 ships were ordered to turn back toward Iranian ports or coast.
– Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif briefed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Islamabad’s efforts to ease US-Iran tensions and assured Saudi support during a visit to the Kingdom.
– A US official said Trump would welcome an end to the Israel-Hezbollah conflict as part of a broader Israel-Lebanon agreement, though a truce with Hezbollah is not part of the US-Iran negotiations.
– Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said operations are focused on the strategic southern Lebanese town of Bint Jbeil and ordered forces to widen the security zone in south Lebanon, pushing eastward to expand control.
