Mediators moved closer Wednesday to extending the fragile U.S.-Iran cease-fire and restarting talks before it expires next week, even as a senior Iranian military official threatened to halt regional trade if Washington does not lift its naval blockade.
The U.S. blockade on Iranian ports and renewed Iranian threats have imperiled the week-old agreement, but regional officials said they were making progress, telling The Associated Press that the United States and Iran had an "in principle agreement" to extend it to allow for more diplomacy.
A senior U.S. official said Washington has not formally agreed to extend the cease-fire and that "engagement" with Iran continues. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the sensitive negotiations.
The commander of Iran’s joint military command warned that Iran would completely block exports and imports across the Persian Gulf region, the Sea of Oman and the Red Sea if the U.S. military does not lift its blockade on Iranian ports.
"Iran will act with strength to defend its national sovereignty and its interests," Ali Abdollahi said.
