Trump trashes Pope Leo's stance on Iran war during late night screed about US-born pontiff

President Donald Trump once again hit out at Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday night, as he defended taking military action in Iran.

'Will someone please tell Pope Leo that Iran has killed at least 42,000 innocent, completely unarmed, protesters in the last two months, and that for Iran to have a Nuclear Bomb is absolutely unacceptable,' the president wrote on his Truth Social page.

The US military's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has been 'fully implemented,' US Central Command announced Tuesday night.

'A blockade of Iranian ports has been fully implemented as US forces maintain maritime superiority in the Middle East,' Admiral Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, said in a statement posted to X.

'An estimated 90 percent of Iran's economy is fueled by international trade by sea,' he noted. 'In less than 36 hour since the blockade was implemented, US forces have completely halted economic trade going into and out of Iran by sea.'

The announcement came amid a report that a US Navy destroyer intercepted two oil tankers trying to leave Iran on Tuesday and ordered them to turn back.

The vessels departed from Chabahar Port in the Gulf of Oman and were contacted by the warship via radio communication, two officials told Reuters.

The officials also said the vessels were among six that US Central Command said had been instructed to return toward Iranian ports after entering the Gulf.

A Chinese tanker and another vessel have made U-turns after passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

After oil tanker Rich Starry circled the area late on Monday and initially turned back, the 600ft long vessel passed through the waterway on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the Iran-linked Christianna carried out a similar route, passing through the Strait of Hormuz before turning around just before 4pm UK time.

• JD Vance threatened Iran and says 'two can play at that game' as he condemns 'economic terrorism' in Strait of Hormuz
• A sanctioned Chinese tanker passed through Strait of Hormuz despite US blockade
• Oil prices fell below $100 as hopes are growing of renewed peace talks
• Saudi Arabia pressed the US to drop its blockade of Strait of Hormuz
• Renewed peace talks could take place this week in Pakistan, officials have said
• Starmer and Macron will co-chair talks on Strait of Hormuz mission to protect shipping
• The Iranian president has reaffirmed his commitment to resume peace talks with US
• The Italian Prime Minister will suspend a defence agreement with Israel
• French President Macron says he urged Trump and the Iranian president to restart talks
• Rachel Reeves said she is 'angry' at Trump's Iran war 'folly'
• Two ships from Iran ports passed the Strait of Hormuz despite US blockade

Vice President JD Vance is reportedly being tapped to lead a potential second round of peace talks with Iranians.

The vice president had met with Iranian officials over the weekend to iron out a peace deal amid a two-week ceasefire agreed to by both sides, but the negotiations ended without any deal after the Iranians pushed for the right to enrich uranium for 20 years, President Donald Trump has said.

Still, Vance has been engaging with Iranians and their intermediaries - along with Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner - since the negotiations failed on Saturday, CNN reports.

JD Vance expected to lead second round of peace talks with Iran

Vice President JD Vance is reportedly being tapped to lead a potential second round of peace talks with Iranians.

President Donald Trump has declared that the war in Iran was 'close to over' as the White House is reportedly preparing to hold a second round of peace talks with Iranian officials in Pakistan.

Fox Business' Maria Bartiromo left the White House Tuesday evening, and posted a short clip teasing her interview with the president that is set to air Wednesday morning.

'One thing that I'll leave you with - I said to him, "Mr President, you keep talking about the war like, "was, was, was,"' she told her followers.

'I said, "Is it over?" He said, "It's over."'

Trump says Iran war is 'close to OVER' as Vance preps for peace talks

President Donald Trump declared that the war in Iran is over in an interview with Fox Business' Maria Bartiromo, scheduled to air Wednesday morning.

A US Navy destroyer intercepted two oil tankers trying to leave Iran on Tuesday and ordered them to turn back, Reuters reported, citing two US officials.

The vessels departed from Chabahar Port in the Gulf of Oman and were contacted by the warship via radio communication, the officials told the outlet.

The officials also said the vessels were among six that US Central Command said had been instructed to return toward Iranian ports after entering the Gulf.

According to a new survey carried out by the American Farm Bureau Federation, more than two-thirds of all US farmers say they cannot afford to buy enough fertiliser to get through the year.

Farmers in the south are hit the hardest, followed by the north-east, west and then midwest.

94% of all farmers said their financial situation had worsened or stayed the same since last year.

Vice president JD Vance admitted at a Turning Point event that he knows 'a lot of young voters don't love the policy we have in the Middle East.'

He said Trump was trying to ensure Iran never has a nuclear weapon, adding: 'I’m not saying you have to agree with me on every issue.

'What I’m saying is, don’t get disengaged because you disagree with the administration on one issue.'

He said conservatives needed to stick together as 'that’s ultimately how we take the country back.'