US says it will blockade Iranian ports

WASHINGTON: The US military says it will blockade Iranian ports from Monday, less than a day after peace talks with Iran in Pakistan broke down.

The blockade will begin from 10:00 ET (14:00 GMT) on Monday, and will be enforced “impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports or coastal areas”, according to a statement from US Central Command.

The branch of the US military adds that it will “not impede” vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz that are travelling to or from other countries.

Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who led Tehran’s delegation during the talks in Pakistan, says the country will not “surrender under threats”.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says the two sides were “inches away” from a deal during the peace talks, but Tehran was then met with “maximalism” and “shifting goalposts”.