Tehran condemns US port blockade

Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations described the US blockade imposed on Monday around its ports as a “grave violation” of its sovereignty that “poses a serious threat to international peace.”

In his letter to UN chief Antonio Guterres, seen by AFP news agency, Emir Saeed Iravani said the blockade was a “serious violation of the basic principles of the international law of the sea”.

US President Donald Trump has said the blockade on ships entering or leaving Iranian ports and coastal areas in the Gulf is aimed at forcing Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of global oil and gas flows.

He has warned that any Iranian warship that comes close to the blockade will be destroyed.

The US action comes despite a two-week ceasefire agreed by Washington and Tehran that is set to expire on April 22.

The blockade, which followed the collapse of peace talks in Pakistan over the weekend, poses a threat to the ceasefire, in response to which Iran is threatening all ports in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.

You are joining our reporting on the Iran war because of the ongoing US naval blockade of Iranian ports.

The US action has seriously angered Tehran, which has issued renewed threats against ports in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.

However, oil prices fell and stocks rose after US President Donald Trump claimed Iran wanted a deal “very badly” despite peace talks in Pakistan failing over the weekend.

Meanwhile, Trump is facing criticism at home after strongly criticizing the Pope over his anti-war comments.

You can read more about key developments in the US-Israeli war on Iran here.