【Iran Crisis】 Oil tanker halts at the Strait of Hormuz, does not pass through. Trump press conference: Iran war will end soon but no time frame promised (updating)

Oil prices once plummeted nearly 10%, with Brent crude futures dropping 9% to a low of $90.3, and NYMEX crude futures falling 8% to $87. After Trump’s speech, according to shipping news sources, dozens of oil tankers approached the Strait of Hormuz, seemingly attempting to pass. Leading the group was the Gambia-flagged oil tanker FAREEDA 5, which briefly reached near the strait before retreating back into the sea. As of 1 p.m., no ships had yet passed.

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According to semi-official Iranian media outlet Fars News Agency, a senior Iranian military official warned, “Until further notice, we will not allow even a single liter of oil to be exported in the region to hostile parties and their allies.”

According to CNBC, a spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry also issued a warning, stating that oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz “must be very cautious,” adding, “As long as the situation remains unsafe, I believe all oil tankers and all maritime navigation must stay highly vigilant.” He said that targeting US military bases and assets in the region is “legitimate” under international law, based on Article 51 of the UN Charter, as self-defense.

🔴 One senior Iranian military official told Al Mayadeen: “Until further notice, we will not allow even a liter of oil to be exported in the region to hostile parties and their allies.”
— Fars News Agency (@FarsNews_Agency) March 9, 2026

U.S. military transport aircraft appeared this morning.

Trump stated that the U.S. has deployed a strong military presence and mine-clearing equipment in the Strait of Hormuz, and if necessary, will provide “political risk insurance” and personally escort commercial ships. He emphasized that Iran will not be allowed to cut off global oil supplies.

In a press conference, Trump refused to promise that the war would end “within days or this week,” but said it would “be very quick.” He pointed out that Iran’s military assets—including navy, air force, radar, and leadership—have been almost entirely destroyed, so the operation is progressing faster than expected. He claimed that the current military progress is unmatched, and the original timetable—estimated to take a month—has been accelerated.

He announced that Iran’s military has been heavily damaged, with 51 Iranian naval vessels sunk, drone manufacturing facilities destroyed, and missile capabilities reduced to below 10%. Over 5,000 targets have been struck, including high-value strategic targets, with the highest leadership eliminated two to three times. Iran’s secret underground nuclear facilities have been destroyed to prevent nuclear weapons development.

He said that Iran’s power grid and critical infrastructure remain intact as leverage; any retaliation would lead to devastating consequences. He claimed the most dangerous phase of the war ended within three days.

He called for Iran to nominate a new leader willing to pursue peace. He expressed disappointment that Iran’s Supreme Leader is the son of Khamenei.

He emphasized that securing the Strait of Hormuz is mainly to stabilize the global economy, explicitly noting that this action helps countries like China that rely on the strait. “I want to keep it open. I want to keep it good. You know, it doesn’t affect us as much as it does China. We’re actually helping China and other countries because they get much of their energy from the strait. But we have a very good relationship with China. I’m honored to do this.”

Summary of the press conference:

“Over the past weekend, the U.S. military and Israeli Defense Forces continued to execute Operation Epic Fury successfully. Over nine days, they launched the most powerful and complex military strikes and tactical exercises ever seen. If you combine these actions with others—such as Operation Midnight Hammer, which eliminated Iran’s nuclear threat, and successes in Venezuela and elsewhere—you will see major victories everywhere.”

“While advancing these operations, we have also made significant progress toward military objectives. Some might say these goals are nearly achieved. We have thoroughly and completely eliminated every armed force inside Iran. Most of Iran’s navy has been sunk, gone to the bottom of the sea. I just received reports of 51 ships. I didn’t even know they had so many ships, but they didn’t last long. These are combat vessels meant for fighting, but they are no match for us.”

"We continue to target Iran’s drone and missile capabilities. Their drone numbers have been drastically reduced. Their