President Trump says US Navy will begin blockade of Strait of Hormuz
The U.S. and Iran failed to reach a peace deal after 21 hours of negotiations.
President Donald Trump announced "major combat operations" against Iran on Feb. 28, with massive joint U.S.-Israeli strikes targeting military and government sites.
Trump set a deadline for Iran to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face broad strikes on its critical infrastructure. Hours before the deadline expired, Trump said he had agreed to suspend planned bombing for two weeks if Iran agreed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi then said that "safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be possible via coordination with Iran's Armed Forces and with due consideration of technical limitations."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he supported the ceasefire with Iran, but that Lebanon -- where intense Israeli strikes continued -- was not covered by the agreement, despite Iranian protests.
Key Headlines
- US blockade of Iranian ports to begin Monday, CENTCOM says
- Military vessels approaching Strait of Hormuz 'will be met with severe force,' IRGC says
- DOJ will 'vigorously prosecute' buyers or sellers of sanctioned Iranian oil, Blanche says
- Despite blockade announcement, Trump urges Iran to open Strait of Hormuz
- President Trump says US Navy will begin blockade of Strait of Hormuz
2 injured in Bahrain by drone interception shrapnel, ministry says
Bahrain's Interior Ministry said in a post to X on Wednesday morning that two people were injured and several homes damaged by falling shrapnel after air defenses intercepted an Iranian drone.
Trump says US 'will be helping with the traffic buildup' in Strait of Hormuz
In a late- night social media post following the announcement of a two-week ceasefire deal, President Donald Trump called it "a big day for World Peace!" and claimed that the U.S. "will be helping with the traffic buildup in the Strait of Hormuz."
"There will be lots of positive action! Big money will be made. Iran can start the reconstruction process. We’ll be loading up with supplies of all kinds, and just 'hangin' around' in order to make sure that everything goes well. I feel confident that it will," Trump said in the post.
Earlier Tuesday, Trump said that a two-week ceasefire with Iran was contingent on agreeing to "the COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz."
It’s unclear when that will happen, and what role the U.S. might play in reopening the critical waterway.
-ABC News' Meg Mistry
Netanyahu supports Trump's decision to suspend strikes, says ceasefire does not include Lebanon
A statement from the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel supports President Donald Trump's decision to suspend strikes against Iran for two weeks subject to Iran immediately opening the Strait of Hormuz.
The two-week ceasefire does not include Lebanon, the prime minister's office said.
Leavitt says ceasefire deal is 'victory' for US
Following the announcement of a temporary ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt celebrated the development.
"This is a victory for the United States that President Trump and our incredible military made happen,” Leavitt said in a social media post. "From the very beginning of Operation Epic Fury, President Trump estimated this would be a 4-6 week operation."
The post went on: "The success of our military created maximum leverage, allowing President Trump and the team to engage in tough negotiations that have now created an opening for a diplomatic solution and long-term peace."
Leavitt also credited Trump, saying he "got the Strait of Hormuz reopened."
Earlier, Iran's foreign minister said in a statement the two-week deal includes "safe passage" through the strait "via coordination with Iran's Armed Forces."