West Asia war LIVE: Iran was unable to export 'single barrel of oil' during U.S. blockade

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We are pursuing dialogue, but if it is not implemented, we are also prepared for war and will respond accordingly, said Iran's Chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.

Updated - July 01, 2026 07:15 am IST

Crude oil tanker Odessa, carrying UAE crude after passing through the Strait of Hormuz with its Automatic Identification System transponder turned off, navigates the waters at Daesan port, where it is expected to discharge crude oil, in Seosan, South Korea, May 8, 2026.

| Photo Credit:

Reuters

Chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf on Tuesday (June 30, 2026) said Iran was unable to export any oil during the U.S. blockade on its ports, noting that exports have since surged.

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“From the day the blockade was lifted until today, we have exported more than 40 million barrels of oil,” he said in an interview on state television. “By contrast, during the previous 50 to nearly 60 days, we were genuinely unable to export even a single barrel of oil.”

Meanwhile, Mr. Ghalibaf said that Iran was prioritising diplomacy with the United States, but remained ready for war.

Follow the live updates here

July 01, 2026 07:15

Vance, Rubio take different approaches as Iran tests their 2028 prospects

Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio appear to be staking out differing approaches to carrying out President Donald Trump’s national security agenda as the possible 2028 Presidential rivals jostle for position in a divided Republican Party.

With vastly different backgrounds and policy experience, they have moved along separate paths to stake out territory: Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants with a long history in the Senate and major interest in Latin America, and Mr. Vance, a child of the Midwest and Marine Corps veteran who served in the Senate for only two years before being tapped as Trump’s 2024 running mate, with a message of opposing foreign wars.

While deferential to each other — and with the White House and State Department denying any suggestion of a rift — Mr. Vance and Mr. Rubio appear the most divergent on West Asia.

In discussing Iran, Mr. Vance has several times been critical of Israel and its actions in Lebanon, saying Mr. Trump has been frustrated by Israeli actions against the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah that have angered Iran and made negotiations with Tehran more difficult.

Mr. Rubio, meanwhile, has remained supportive of Israel or held his tongue, particularly over the situation in Lebanon — an issue he has taken the lead on and resulted in a preliminary framework agreement last week.

-AP

July 01, 2026 06:52

Iran prioritises diplomacy with U.S. but remains ready for war: negotiator

Iran’s chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said that Iran was prioritising diplomacy with the United States, but remained ready for war.

“We are pursuing dialogue, but if the dialogue is not implemented, we are also prepared for war and will respond accordingly,” Mr. Ghalibaf said in an interview on state television, as Iranian and U.S. delegations were due to hold separate discussions in Doha.

-AFP

Published - July 01, 2026 06:50 am IST