Iran Shuts Strait as US-Iran Talks Stall
President Trump said US negotiators will travel to Pakistan on Monday. They will hold talks with Iran about extending a ceasefire.
The ceasefire expires on Wednesday. Iran has not agreed to send its own team to Pakistan.
Iran says it will not negotiate while a US naval blockade is in place. Trump warned the US will destroy every Iranian power plant if no deal is reached.
He also threatened to resume bombing and take Iran's nuclear material by force. Iran pledged to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed until the blockade is lifted.
Iran briefly reopened the Strait on April 17 then closed it again on April 18. The Iranian military warned that any ship approaching would be targeted.
Pakistan helped broker the two-week ceasefire on April 8. Pakistan's army chief visited Iran on April 18 to push both sides back to talks before the deadline.
Key Terms 4
- Strait of Hormuz A narrow sea passage where about 20% of the world's oil travels through
- ceasefire An agreement to stop fighting for a set period of time
- naval blockade When warships block a country's ports to stop ships entering or leaving
- IRGC Iran's powerful military force known as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps