US to blockade maritime traffic at Iranian ports; Tehran warns of 'ceasefire breach'

Iran accuses US of maximalism in talks

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Iran had "encountered maximalism, shifting goalposts, and blockade" when just inches away from an "Islamabad MoU."

"Zero lessons learned," he added. "Good will begets good will. Enmity begets enmity."

What Trump said overnight 

How is Iran reacting to Trump's threat?

Iran's Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, who led his country's delegation to the talks along with Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, said Trump's new threats would have no effect on Iran.

"If you fight, we will fight, and if you come forward with logic, we will deal with logic," he said in comments carried by state media.

'Blown to hell'

US forces would not impede freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports, and additional information would be provided to commercial mariners through a formal notice prior to the start of the blockade, it said.

Trump said in a post on social media the US would take action against every vessel in international waters that had paid a toll to Iran and begin destroying mines that he said the Iranians had dropped in the Strait, a choke point for about 20% of global energy supplies that Iran has blocked.

Day 6 of ceasefire 

President Donald Trump said on Sunday the US Navy would start blockading the Strait of Hormuz, raising the stakes after marathon talks with Iran failed to reach a deal to end the war, jeopardising a fragile two-week ceasefire.

The US Central Command said US forces would begin implementing the blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports at 10am ET (6pm UAE time) on Monday.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards responded to Trump by warning that military vessels approaching the Strait will be considered a ceasefire breach and dealt with harshly and decisively, underlining the risk of a dangerous escalation.

Stay tuned to Khaleej Times for latest updates on the ceasefire, talks between warring parties, and other significant developments in the region.