Washington, Dubai, Islamabad — Donald Trump has held discussions with oil industry executives on how to manage the impact of a potential long-term U.S. blockade of Iranian ports, as he pressed Tehran to enter into a new agreement amid a deepening standoff.
A White House official said the meeting focused on measures to stabilize global oil markets and cushion American consumers should the blockade extend for several months. The consultations came as diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict remain stalled.
The United States has intensified efforts to restrict Iran’s oil exports through a naval blockade, aimed at forcing Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy shipments. In response, Iran has vowed to continue disrupting maritime traffic as long as it faces military and economic pressure.
Oil prices reacted sharply to the escalating tensions, with Brent crude rising more than 6 percent to a one-month high on Wednesday, reflecting concerns over prolonged supply disruptions.
Washington and Tehran have exchanged public threats in recent days, while Pakistan has been working behind the scenes to mediate and prevent further escalation. A Pakistani source said both sides continue to communicate indirectly, with Iran requesting additional time to respond to U.S. observations on a proposed framework.
In a social media post, Trump reiterated his stance that Iran must agree to terms swiftly, criticizing its leadership for failing to reach a non-nuclear agreement. The U.S. administration maintains that Iran must abandon any pathway to nuclear weapons, while Tehran insists its nuclear program is intended for peaceful civilian use.
Iranian officials have rejected U.S. pressure. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf accused Washington of attempting to force Iran into submission through economic and military measures, calling instead for national unity.
The conflict has already imposed significant costs. A senior Pentagon official placed U.S. military expenditures at approximately $25 billion since hostilities intensified. The fighting has also resulted in thousands of casualties and widespread economic disruption.
According to Volker Turk, Iran has executed at least 21 individuals and detained more than 4,000 on national security charges since the conflict with the United States and Israel escalated two months ago.
Economic pressures within Iran are mounting. The national currency has fallen to a record low, while inflation surged to 65.8 percent for the period between March 20 and April 20, according to central bank data. Analysts warn that continued instability could further strain the country’s economy.
Iran’s latest proposal to resolve the crisis suggests postponing discussions on its nuclear program until after a formal end to hostilities and the reopening of shipping lanes. This approach falls short of Washington’s demand that nuclear issues be addressed at the outset of negotiations.
Meanwhile, U.S. intelligence agencies are assessing possible Iranian responses to various scenarios, including the prospect of Washington declaring a unilateral end to the conflict, according to officials familiar with the matter.
The leadership structure in Tehran has also shifted following the deaths of several senior figures, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, in earlier U.S.-Israeli strikes. Analysts say the rise of his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, has strengthened hardline elements within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Domestically, Trump is facing mounting pressure to end the conflict as fuel prices rise and public support declines. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll showed his approval rating falling to 34 percent, down from 36 percent previously.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the administration’s strategy in remarks to Congress, rejecting criticism from lawmakers and asserting that the campaign against Iran remains under control.
Edgardo Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
- EDGARDO HERNAL
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