Iran said on Saturday it was tightening control over the Strait of Hormuz, warning sailors the vital energy route is closed again, but President Donald Trump said Tehran could not blackmail the United States by closing the waterway.
Tehran said it was responding to the ongoing US blockade of Iranian ports, calling it a violation of its ceasefire, while Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said Iran’s navy was ready to inflict a “new bitter defeat” on its enemies.
At least two ships were reported to have come under fire and capsized while trying to transit the waterway, shipping sources said.
India later said it had summoned the Iranian ambassador in New Delhi and expressed its deep concern to him that two Indian-flagged ships had come under fire in the strait.
State media in Iran quoted the Supreme National Security Council as saying that Iranian control over the strait includes demands for payment of costs related to security, protection and environmental protection services.
State television also quoted the Supreme National Security Council as saying that the US has made new proposals after talks mediated by Pakistan in recent days.
It said Tehran was considering them but had not yet responded.
Despite Trump saying on Friday that talks would take place, there was no immediate indication that direct US-Iran talks would take place over the weekend.
Trump said the US is having “very good talks” with Iran but that Tehran wants to close the strait again. Iran cannot blackmail America, he said.—Reuters
