World
Trump threatens renewed airstrikes, naval blockade if Iran rejects peace deal
The United States has warned that it could resume air strikes on Iran and enforce a naval blockade on its ports if Tehran refuses to accept a proposed agreement aimed at ending the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The strong warning underscores rising tensions as diplomatic efforts continue to prevent further escalation in the region.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan has visited Tehran to engage with Iranian peace negotiators, in a move seen as part of broader efforts to facilitate fresh talks between the opposing sides.
Iranian state television showed Pakistan’s Field Marshal Asim Munir meeting Iran’s speaker of parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who led the Iranian delegation at the first US-Iran meeting in Pakistan last week, which ended without a deal.
“If Iran chooses poorly, then they will have a blockade and bombs dropping on infrastructure, power and energy,” Defence Secretary Hegseth told a news conference at the Pentagon.
Earlier, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt had told reporters that further talks “would very likely” be in the Pakistani capital.
“Those discussions are being had,” Leavitt said, and “we feel good about the prospects of a deal.”
But, despite Washington’s expectation of renewed talks, the US warned it would maintain its blockade of Iranian ports and use the two-week window afforded by the temporary ceasefire to rearm its forces.
General Dan Caine, the top US military officer, said the naval blockade “applies to all ships, regardless of nationality, heading into or from Iranian ports.”
“If you do not comply with this blockade, we will use force,” he said.
Pakistani foreign ministry spokesman Tahir Andrabi said no date had been set for the next round of talks.
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