Tehran:The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) forced US troops stationed in the Sea of Oman near theStrait of Hormuz, according to a report, Press TV reported. The development came after US forces allegedly seized an Iranian-flagged ship, Touska, attempting to cross the strait, breaching the US naval blockade.
The US forces operating in the region allegedly attacked the Iranian merchant ship, forcing it to return to Iranian territorial waters. The development escalated tensions between the US and Iran amid the ongoing ceasefire. However, the US has not released any official statement in this regard.
As per the Press TV report, the Americans were forced to retreat and leave the area following the "timely presence and rapid response" of IRGC naval units in support of the Iranian vessel. Notably, the US imposed a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway through which 20 per cent of the world's crude oil and liquified natural gas (LNG) was shipped before the start of the Iran war on February 28.
Notably, the IRGC imposed a virtual blockade in the strait. Meanwhile, after the US-Iran talks failed earlier this month, the United States also imposed the naval blockade in the key waterway, preventing ships from leaving or entering Iranian ports.
On Friday, Iran had briefly eased restrictions on non-hostile commercial shipping in the strait. However, the IRGC Navy said in a statement on Saturday that Iran had closed the Strait of Hormuz after the United States allegedly maintained its blockade on Iranian ports in violation of a two-week ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump on April 8.
"However, due to the violation of the ceasefire conditions, and as the American adversary has not lifted the naval blockade on Iranian vessels and ports, the Strait of Hormuz has been closed as of this evening until this blockade is removed," the IRGC said.
Uncertainty Over Second Round Of Peace Talks:
Uncertainty clouds the next phase of US-Iran diplomacy as conflicting signals emerge over a possible second round of talks in Islamabad. While US President Donald Trump said American negotiators are set to engage Iran, but Tehran denied agreeing to any such meeting, dismissing reports as false.
Trump on Sunday announced that American negotiators will be in Islamabad on Monday for peace talks with Iran. “My Representatives are going to Islamabad, Pakistan - They will be there tomorrow evening, for Negotiations,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
According to the White House, Vice President JD Vance, who led the first round of marathon Islamabad Talks last weekend, would lead the American delegation. Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff would also be part of his team.
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