Main developments
US President Donald Trump said additional talks between Tehran and Washington “could be happening over next two days” in Islamabad. He also said the war in Iran was “very close to over”.
The US blockade of Iranian ports appeared to be affecting maritime transit in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, with tracking data showing that several tankers had either stopped or U-turned.
The US has said the blockade would be enforced in the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea, east of the strait.
Admiral Brad Cooper, the head of the US military’s Central Command, said the US military blockade of Iranian ports had been “fully implemented”.
China has threatened to retaliate if the US imposes punitive tariffs on the country for allegedly supplying arms to Iran and labelled the US blockade “irresponsible”.
Asian stocks ticked higher, while oil prices continued to fall.
US says blockade of Iranian ports ‘fully implemented’
Admiral Brad Cooper, the head of the US military’s Central Command, issued a statement late on Tuesday saying the US military blockade of Iranian ports had been “fully implemented”.
Cooper said that in the less than 36 hours since the blockade began, US forces had “completely halted economic trade going into and out of Iran by sea”.
The latest comments from Cooper came one day after US Central Command, which oversees American military operations in the region, said no ships coming from Iranian ports went through the US blockade in its first 24 hours, and six commercial vessels turned around when ordered to do so.
Asian stocks tick higher and oil weaker
Asian stocks rose and oil prices fell as US President Donald Trump said the war in Iran was “very close to over” and further talks between the two sides were imminent.
Brent crude, the international oil benchmark, fell 0.2 per cent to $94.61.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 index was up 0.6 per cent, having earlier risen as much as 1.2 per cent.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index was up 1 per cent, having earlier risen as much as 1.3 per cent. Mainland China’s CSI 300 benchmark rose 0.4 per cent.