Trump Says Iran Talks in 'Final Stages' as Tehran Defines Hormuz Boundaries, Mandates Vessel Permits

US President Donald Trump has said negotiations with Iran are in their "final stages", even as Tehran moved to assert tighter control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz by defining its supervisory boundaries and mandating permits for all vessels passing through the waterway.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Trump said he was willing to give diplomacy "one shot" but warned that Washington could take "nasty" action if talks fail. "Ideally I'd like to see few people killed, as opposed to a lot," he said, adding that the situation was "right on the borderline."

Warning from Washington

The US President's comments come weeks after a ceasefire paused the US-Iran conflict. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller has delivered a blunt ultimatum to Tehran's leadership, though Trump suggested Washington could wait a few days to "get the right answers" from Iranian officials.

Trump also claimed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "will do whatever I want him to do," signalling tight US control over its ally's posture in the ongoing tensions.

Tehran defines Hormuz boundaries

In a move that could escalate maritime tensions, Iran's newly-launched Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) has formally defined the management supervision area of the Strait of Hormuz. According to a post on X, the supervision area stretches from the line connecting Kuh Mobarak in Iran and the south of Fujairah in the UAE in the east, to the line connecting the end of Qeshm Island in Iran and Umm al-Qaiwain in the UAE in the west.

The management body has made it clear that "frequencies in this range for passing through the Strait of Hormuz require coordination with the Persian Gulf Waterway Management and a permit from this entity."

Economic shockwaves widen

The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has already disrupted more than 20 per cent of global fuel supplies, and the economic fallout is being felt far beyond West Asia. In Kenya, deadly protests over soaring fuel prices have claimed at least four lives so far, with demonstrators taking to the streets across the East African nation as petrol and diesel costs have surged.

Sri Lanka's tea industry is also under mounting pressure. Tea workers in the central hill region say rising living costs are making survival increasingly difficult. "We don't know whether we can cope. If this war continues, many people will face hardship," tea estate worker Jacintha Malar told Reuters from Hatton.

Saudi Arabia turns to fuel oil

Saudi Arabia is expected to rely more heavily on fuel oil to meet soaring summer electricity demand after disruptions linked to the Iran conflict reduced natural gas supplies. The kingdom has reportedly increased imports of fuel oil for power generation as extreme summer heat pushes up air-conditioning use. Saudi Aramco boosted fuel oil imports to around 1.7 million tonnes in April, an 86 per cent increase compared with the same period last year, according to analysts cited by Reuters.

Military posturing in Tehran

As threats of renewed conflict persist, Iran has intensified public displays of military strength in the capital. Members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are now frequently seen training civilians to use Kalashnikov-style assault rifles, while military parades featuring armoured vehicles have become increasingly common. A ballistic missile similar to those used in recent attacks on Israel was showcased during a mass wedding ceremony in Tehran.

Iran has also claimed it possesses advanced domestically developed weapons that have not yet been combat-tested. Meanwhile, officials confirmed that Tehran is "reviewing" the US response to its latest proposal, with Pakistan acting as mediator for message exchanges between the two sides.

Tensions High as IRGC Threatens US Assets; Russia Offers Uranium Storage Deal

Tehran warns of 'decisive response' as Strait of Hormuz conflict escalates; Britain deploys HMS Dragon to support regional security.

The situation in the Persian Gulf has reached a boiling point today, with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issuing a direct warning to the United States. Following fresh hostilities, the IRGC naval command declared via social media that any further attacks on Iranian merchant vessels or tankers would be met with strikes against US military bases and ships. This comes as international navies, including the British Royal Navy, scramble to bolster presence in the Strait of Hormuz to protect vital trade routes.

Britain deploys warship to region

The British government has confirmed the deployment of the HMS Dragon to West Asia, marking a significant escalation in Western efforts to secure the waterway. Sources familiar with the matter indicate that the warship will join a multinational coalition aimed at ensuring the safe passage of merchant vessels through the strait. The French military has also confirmed that its nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, is currently en route to the region, highlighting the global stakes involved in the crisis.

Diplomatic efforts remain stalled

Despite ongoing shuttle diplomacy, the path to a ceasefire remains treacherous. While the US and Iran have been working through mediators to draft a 30-day cessation of hostilities, the nuclear issue continues to serve as a major roadblock. Iran has signaled it will not compromise on its uranium enrichment program, a stance that has frustrated Washington.

Putin steps into nuclear fray

Adding a new layer to the complex negotiations, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced yesterday that Moscow is prepared to transport and store Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium. Drawing on historical precedent from 2015, the Kremlin suggested this move could bridge the gap in the stalled US-Iran talks. However, the proposal faces significant hurdles, as previous US administrations have been wary of Moscow acting as the primary custodian for Iranian nuclear material.

Crisis hits global markets

The economic ripple effects of the Hormuz crisis are becoming increasingly visible on the ground. Brent crude has climbed to $103 per barrel, reflecting market anxiety over the potential for a prolonged blockade of one of the world’s most critical oil transit arteries. Simultaneously, digital infrastructure remains a point of contention, with Iranian officials recently discussing the potential to monetize submarine fiber-optic cables that carry over $10 trillion in daily global financial transactions through the strait.

Military posturing remains intense

On the ground, the military posture is becoming more aggressive. Iranian Navy Commander Shahram Irani confirmed Sunday that light, indigenously built submarines have been deployed to the seabed in a "trigger-ready" state. Meanwhile, the US Central Command reported that it has successfully prevented over 70 vessels linked to Iranian ports from transiting the area, effectively putting a chokehold on $13 billion in oil cargo. As regional powers continue to trade threats, the prospect of a lasting peace appears slim unless a breakthrough is achieved in the coming weeks.

A Small Win, A Bigger Warning

Two Indian ships have been permitted to sail through the Strait of Hormuz — a narrow but enormously important waterway that has been effectively shut down since the United States and Israel launched military strikes on Iran on February 28, 2026. The passage of these vessels is being seen as a diplomatic signal, but make no mistake: India's energy security remains deeply fragile, and the crisis in the Persian Gulf is nowhere near resolved.

The Strait of Hormuz — just 21 miles wide at its narrowest — carries roughly 20% of the world's daily oil supply. When Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) shut it down to Western-linked ships after retaliating against US-Israeli strikes, the ripple effects were immediate and severe for countries like India that depend heavily on this corridor.

Why This Matters for India Right Now

India depends heavily on this strategic corridor for its energy supplies. Nearly 85% of the country's LPG imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz, and around 40% of crude oil shipments also move through the same route. NBC News

Over 1,100 Indian seafarers are aboard at least 38 vessels affected by the closure, with shipowners urging naval protection to resume passage. Bloomberg The clearance of two ships is a relief, but it is a drop in the ocean compared to what is still stranded.

The passage was made possible after Iran announced it would differentiate between friends and foes. Iran's IRGC stated that the Strait of Hormuz is now closed to vessels from the United States, Israel, Europe and their Western allies The Washington Post, while leaving a window open for nations like India and China that have not aligned with the Western military campaign.

The Risk Hasn't Gone Away

Passage being "allowed" does not mean passage is safe. A cargo vessel heading toward India's Kandla Port caught fire after being struck by a projectile while sailing through the Strait of Hormuz Zee News — a stark reminder that even non-Western ships are operating in an active war zone.

Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remained near a standstill on March 7, with only three total crossings recorded. The combination of vessel attacks, elevated strike risk, GPS and AIS interference, and the withdrawal of war-risk insurance coverage is now producing a near-total closure effect for much of the commercial market. Military.com

In plain terms: Iran may say the door is open for Indian ships, but the hallway is still on fire.

India's Tightrope Walk

India has long maintained a careful balancing act — maintaining warm ties with both Washington and Tehran. That balancing act is now under serious strain.

Indian officials have publicly noted that more than 40% of the country's oil imports transit the Strait of Hormuz, now an active combat zone. Al Jazeera The government is under pressure to act — and fast. According to reports, the government may consider deploying the Indian Navy if tensions rise further, with naval escort operations to help protect commercial vessels crossing the sensitive route. NBC News

Meanwhile, global oil prices have swung wildly. Oil prices briefly surged to around $120 per barrel due to supply concerns, and analysts warn that prolonged instability could affect fuel prices across several countries. NBC News

The passage of two Indian ships through the Strait of Hormuz is a cautious win — but it should not be mistaken for stability. With Indian ships Strait of Hormuz movements still limited, over a thousand Indian sailors stranded, and an active shooting war ongoing, the situation demands urgent, sustained diplomatic and naval engagement from New Delhi.

India cannot afford to watch from the sidelines. Its kitchens, its factories, and its economy run on oil that flows through these 21 miles of water. What happens in the Persian Gulf does not stay there — it lands at your petrol pump, your cooking gas cylinder, and eventually your grocery bill.

The world is watching the Strait of Hormuz. India needs to do more than watch.