Tehran rallies back Hormuz stance
Donald Trump blockade move fuels tensions with Iran
Thousands rallied in Tehran in support of the Iranian government and against the U.S. blocking the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. military began a blockade of ships leaving Iran's ports, President Donald Trump said, and Tehran threatened to retaliate against its Persian Gulf neighbors' ports after weekend talks in Islamabad on ending the war broke down.
A U.S. official said there was continued engagement with Iran, and forward motion on trying to get to an agreement. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also said efforts were still under way to resolve the conflict.
In a statement, Iran’s military warned any threat to the ports would trigger a broader regional response, declaring that no port in the Persian Gulf or the Sea of Oman would remain secure if Iranian ports are targeted.
The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) had warned that any attempt by military vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz will be deemed a violation of the two-week ceasefire with the United States.
The IRGC said it would give a firm and decisive response to such a violation. The Iranian Parliament has advanced draft legislation to impose transit fees in national currency and explicitly ban US and Israeli ships.
