Iran and United States ‘far’ from deal as ships in Strait of Hormuz warned they will be targeted if they attempt to cross: live updates
Written by: LETTICE BROMOVSKY, NEWS CORRESPONDENT
Updated:
Iran’s chief negotiator said there had been progress in recent talks with the United States but gaps remained on nuclear issues and the Strait of Hormuz, while President Donald Trump said there had been “very good talks” with Tehran despite warning of “blackmail” on the key shipping channel.
Neither side gave any details on the status of negotiations on Saturday, days before a fragile ceasefire in the US-Israeli war against Iran expires.
The war, now in its eighth week, has killed thousands, spilled over into Israeli attacks in Lebanon and sent oil prices soaring as the strait, which carried a fifth of the world’s oil shipments before the war, was effectively closed.
One Israeli soldier was killed and nine others were injured, one seriously, in fighting in southern Lebanon, the Israeli military said early Sunday.
Iranian warships opened fire on a tanker passing through the Strait of Hormuz
The British army’s UK Merchant Marine Operations center said two assault boats belonging to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard opened fire on a tanker passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
He reported that the tanker and crew were safe, without specifying the ship or destination.
TankerTrackers.com reported that the ships, including an Indian-flagged super tanker, were forced to turn back in the strait after Iran opened fire.
Saturday’s developments came after US President Donald Trump said the blockade “will remain in full force” until Tehran reaches an agreement with the US that includes its nuclear programme. Tehran reopened the strait to commercial ships on Friday.
Iranian Foreign Minister’s ‘bad and incomplete tweet caused tensions’
Iran is criticizing its own Foreign Minister for a ‘bad and incomplete tweet’ that created uncertainty over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
In their tweet, they said: “Our country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs wrote in his tweet a few minutes ago that, following the ceasefire in Lebanon, the Strait of Hormuz will be fully open to the passage of commercial ships for the remainder of the ceasefire period.”
Iran reverses decision to reopen Strait of Hormuz
Iran reversed its decision to reopen the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday and opened fire on a tanker trying to cross the waterway. He also warned that the US would continue to block passage through the strait as long as the embargo on Iranian ports continues.
While mediators expressed confidence that a new agreement could be reached, confusion over the critical transition point threatened to deepen the energy crisis that has shaken the global economy and push the two countries into renewed conflict.
“Control of the Strait of Hormuz has returned to its previous state under the strict management and control of the armed forces,” Iran’s joint military command said in a statement on Saturday. he said.
Welcome to the Daily Mail’s live blog
Good morning and welcome to the Daily Mail’s live blog.
We will be sharing with you the latest developments regarding the Middle East and the Strait of Hormuz throughout the day.
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