Mohan Sinha
15 Apr 2026

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Even as the standoff between the United States and Iran deepened on Monday, and the U.S. declared it had blockaded Iran's ports, Pakistan said it was racing to bring both sides together for more talks.

Although last week's ceasefire seemed to be holding, tensions over the Strait of Hormuz risked starting the fighting again, and worsening the economic impact of the wider regional war.

Talks to permanently end the conflict — which began on February 28 with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran — did not lead to any agreement last weekend. However, Pakistan has suggested hosting another round of talks soon.

Two Pakistani officials, speaking anonymously, said the first round of talks was part of an ongoing diplomatic effort, not a one-time attempt.

Two U.S. officials also said, on condition of anonymity, that discussions about a new round of talks were continuing as of April Sunday. They added that details such as the location, timing, and participants had not been finalized, but the talks could take place on Wednesday.

Now in its seventh week, the war has shaken global markets and hurt the world economy, as shipping routes have been disrupted and airstrikes have damaged both military and civilian infrastructure across the region.

The conflict has killed at least 3,000 people in Iran, more than 2,000 in Lebanon, 23 in Israel, and over a dozen in the Middle East Arab countries. Thirteen U.S. service members have also died.

The blockade aims to put pressure on Iran, which has continued exporting millions of barrels of oil, mostly to Asia, during the war. Much of this oil has likely been transported through secret shipments that avoid sanctions, helping Iran maintain its economy.

It was still unclear on the first full day of the blockade how it would be enforced and whether ships would follow it. On Monday, some tankers approaching the strait turned back, though one passed through early on April 14.

According to shipping data, the tanker, Rich Starry, had been waiting off the coast of the United Arab Emirates. It was unclear whether it had previously stopped in Iran, but U.S. authorities have linked it to Iranian shipping. Reports said a Chinese company owns the ship and it is heading to China.

The U.S. military did not immediately respond to questions about the ship after it passed through the narrow waterway. A day earlier, it had said the blockade applied to ships traveling to and from Iranian ports.

Since the war began, Iran has reduced ship traffic, with most commercial vessels avoiding the area.

Iran's effective closure of the strait, which normally carries about one-fifth of the world's oil, has caused oil prices to rise sharply, increasing the cost of fuel, food, and other essentials worldwide.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran's control of the strait was a form of blackmail. He claimed that Iran's navy had been largely destroyed but still had small fast-attack boats. He warned that any such vessels approaching the blockade would be immediately destroyed.

Iran responded by warning it would strike ports in the Persian Gulf if attacked. Iran's parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, said in a statement to Trump that if there were a fight, Iran would respond with force.