Middle East War Day 61: Trump Plans Long-Term Blockade of Iranian Ports, Latest Developments at a Glance
On the 61st day of the Middle East War, former U.S. President Trump ordered a long-term blockade of Iranian ports, while Russian President Putin warned against resuming attacks. Crude oil prices surged, and French TotalEnergies reported significant profit growth. News also covered issues with Iranian officials in Canada and the Lebanese situation.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 30, 2026 at 13:27
- 🔍 Collected: April 30, 2026 at 13:31 (4 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 2, 2026 at 12:30 (46h 58m after Collected)
US-Iran War Key News
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, Paris, April 29, Comprehensive Foreign Report) As the joint attack by the United States and Israel on Iran entered its 61st day, U.S. President Trump has instructed national security officials to prepare for a long-term blockade of Iranian ports, while Russian President Putin warned the U.S. against resuming attacks, stating it would lead to highly destructive consequences.
Below are the latest developments in the Middle East War compiled by Agence France-Presse.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Trump has instructed national security officials to prepare for a long-term blockade of Iranian ports to force Tehran to abandon its nuclear program.
The report states that Trump believes Iran is not serious about negotiations and hopes to force Iran to suspend uranium enrichment for 20 years, and then accept strict restrictions.
A White House official said Trump had told oil industry executives that the blockade could be extended for several more months.
Trump posted on his social media platform 'Truth Social': 'Iran can't reach a consensus. They don't know how to sign a non-nuclear agreement. They'd better smarten up quickly!'
The post was also accompanied by an illustration of himself holding an assault rifle, with the caption 'No More Mr. Nice Guy!'
U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, asked about the cost of the 60-day conflict during a fierce debate in Congress, replied that it is currently estimated to be less than $25 billion (approximately NT$813.5 billion).
However, he refuted concerns that the use of critical U.S. ammunition had reached 'alarming' levels and that reserves might be depleted, accusing critics of 'providing propaganda to our enemies.'
On the other hand, Trump said today that due to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's refusal to join Washington's war against Iran, the U.S. is considering reducing its troops stationed in Germany, estimated to be between 35,000 and 50,000 people.
Iranian media reported that due to the 'improper conduct' of immigration officials at Toronto Airport in Canada, senior Iranian football officials left Canada, a co-host of this year's World Cup, before the start of the FIFA Congress.
Multiple media outlets reported that the association's president and deputy secretary-general had taken the first flight back to Turkey, but did not provide further details.
Following reports of a potential extension of the blockade, global crude oil prices surged, with Brent crude jumping above $119 per barrel, reaching its highest level since 2022, and the U.S. benchmark crude, West Texas Intermediate, breaking $105.
French fossil fuel giant TotalEnergies announced a 51% increase in net profit in the first quarter, reaching $5.8 billion (approximately NT$188.7 billion), benefiting from the rise in oil prices triggered by the Middle East War.
Russian President Vladimir Putin warned the U.S. President not to resume attacks on Iran.
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters that during a phone conversation between the Russian and American leaders, Putin stated that Trump's decision to extend the ceasefire was 'correct,' but Putin also said that if military operations resumed, it would have 'inevitable and highly destructive consequences' for the Middle East and the wider world.
After Israeli airstrikes killed more than 20 people in the past two days, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun urged Israel to fully implement a ceasefire before direct negotiations begin.
IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir vowed to strike Iranian-backed groups north of the Litani River in Lebanon if threatened.
TotalEnergies also announced that it had restarted the Satorp refinery in Saudi Arabia in mid-April. The refinery was previously shut down due to damage from an airstrike on April 8.
TotalEnergies stated that undamaged units have been restarted, and the refinery has been operating at a capacity of 230,000 barrels per day since April 14. (Compiled by Li Pei-shan) 1150430
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, Paris, April 29, Comprehensive Foreign Report) As the joint attack by the United States and Israel on Iran entered its 61st day, U.S. President Trump has instructed national security officials to prepare for a long-term blockade of Iranian ports, while Russian President Putin warned the U.S. against resuming attacks, stating it would lead to highly destructive consequences.
Below are the latest developments in the Middle East War compiled by Agence France-Presse.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Trump has instructed national security officials to prepare for a long-term blockade of Iranian ports to force Tehran to abandon its nuclear program.
The report states that Trump believes Iran is not serious about negotiations and hopes to force Iran to suspend uranium enrichment for 20 years, and then accept strict restrictions.
A White House official said Trump had told oil industry executives that the blockade could be extended for several more months.
Trump posted on his social media platform 'Truth Social': 'Iran can't reach a consensus. They don't know how to sign a non-nuclear agreement. They'd better smarten up quickly!'
The post was also accompanied by an illustration of himself holding an assault rifle, with the caption 'No More Mr. Nice Guy!'
U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, asked about the cost of the 60-day conflict during a fierce debate in Congress, replied that it is currently estimated to be less than $25 billion (approximately NT$813.5 billion).
However, he refuted concerns that the use of critical U.S. ammunition had reached 'alarming' levels and that reserves might be depleted, accusing critics of 'providing propaganda to our enemies.'
On the other hand, Trump said today that due to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's refusal to join Washington's war against Iran, the U.S. is considering reducing its troops stationed in Germany, estimated to be between 35,000 and 50,000 people.
Iranian media reported that due to the 'improper conduct' of immigration officials at Toronto Airport in Canada, senior Iranian football officials left Canada, a co-host of this year's World Cup, before the start of the FIFA Congress.
Multiple media outlets reported that the association's president and deputy secretary-general had taken the first flight back to Turkey, but did not provide further details.
Following reports of a potential extension of the blockade, global crude oil prices surged, with Brent crude jumping above $119 per barrel, reaching its highest level since 2022, and the U.S. benchmark crude, West Texas Intermediate, breaking $105.
French fossil fuel giant TotalEnergies announced a 51% increase in net profit in the first quarter, reaching $5.8 billion (approximately NT$188.7 billion), benefiting from the rise in oil prices triggered by the Middle East War.
Russian President Vladimir Putin warned the U.S. President not to resume attacks on Iran.
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters that during a phone conversation between the Russian and American leaders, Putin stated that Trump's decision to extend the ceasefire was 'correct,' but Putin also said that if military operations resumed, it would have 'inevitable and highly destructive consequences' for the Middle East and the wider world.
After Israeli airstrikes killed more than 20 people in the past two days, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun urged Israel to fully implement a ceasefire before direct negotiations begin.
IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir vowed to strike Iranian-backed groups north of the Litani River in Lebanon if threatened.
TotalEnergies also announced that it had restarted the Satorp refinery in Saudi Arabia in mid-April. The refinery was previously shut down due to damage from an airstrike on April 8.
TotalEnergies stated that undamaged units have been restarted, and the refinery has been operating at a capacity of 230,000 barrels per day since April 14. (Compiled by Li Pei-shan) 1150430
Stand with the facts; every sponsorship you provide is a force for safeguarding journalistic freedom.
Download CNA's 'First-hand News' app to get the latest updates instantly.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.