The Iran War is still developing, and with every passing day — Donald Trump’s plan becomes more confusing as his allies continue to kneecap his ideas. The administration proudly introduced the blockade on Iran’s Strait of Hormuz, as he negotiated in Pakistan, but now it turns out Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce has been handing Iran a lifeline behind the scenes.
According to reports, Pakistan has activated six overland transit routes to act as an alternative to the American blockade on Iran’s southern waters. Thanks to Pakistan, Iran can now count on major ports like Karachi Port, Port Qasim, and Gwadar Port — which are not part of the American blockade.
As negotiations toward a much-awaited end to this war and blockade stall, prices of just about every consumable good globally have been going up, owing to unstable oil prices. The administration had previously postured the blockade as a show of naval strength, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth saying that, from now on, the Strait of Hormuz would rely on American permission rather than Iranian threats. Hegseth said, “To the regime in Tehran: The blockade is tightening by the hour. We are in control. Nothing in, nothing out.”
Of course, things have now changed. A reporter from Fox News approached Trump and asked him if he was aware of the new arrangement by Pakistan to take in thousands of containers from Iranian ports using border points like Taftan and Gabd. Trump quickly responded that he knows everything that goes on in Pakistan, before adding, “I have great respect for Pakistan.”
Reporter: Pakistan has opened land routes with Iran. Are you aware of it?
— Acyn (@Acyn) May 1, 2026
Trump: I know everything about it. Are you from Pakistan?
Reporter: No, I’m American.
Trump: I have great respect for Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/yZRQFTngzV
For everyone whose budgets are getting tighter — some even having to drive an hour out to get affordable prices at the gas pump — this response was frustrating. Because at this point, what is the goal of this elongated war if the blockade on a blockade is no longer hurting Iran, nor pushing the parties involved toward a peace deal? This war has killed thousands, including schoolgirls, and the stated goal was to stop the development of nuclear weapons that was supposedly already achieved last year through earlier Trump strikes.
U.S.-Pakistani relations have come a long way since Trump’s first term. When he first got into office, Trump accused Pakistan of allegedly harboring terrorists while also receiving U.S. aid. Since then, things have warmed considerably — first with Trump playing a key role in easing tensions between Pakistan and its neighbor India, and now with Pakistan acting as a main mediator in the Iranian negotiations.
It’s very probable that Trump is making an uncharacteristic move of playing his cards close to his chest, and that he’s furious with his new ally for giving Iran a workaround to his blockade. Currently, there’s no way of knowing. But knowing Trump, if he actually is furious at Pakistan, it’s only a matter of time before he makes that known — likely in the middle of the night via Truth Social.
There’s also the possibility that even he knows this war has already cost his administration enough allies, and adding Pakistan to that list won’t help much. But one thing is certain: a deal has to be made now. This has gone on long enough, and neither side seems to have the appetite to continue — and it’s regular citizens around the world who are hurting the most.
Published: May 2, 2026 11:48 am