April 16, 2026 | 01:50 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Iranian military threatened on Wednesday to halt traffic in the Red Sea unless the United States lifts the blockade on Tehran's ports and the Strait of Hormuz. Iran warns that the U.S. blockade is jeopardizing the ceasefire.
However, Iran's military center commander, Ali Abdollahi, warned that the U.S. failure to lift the blockade would be a "prelude" to breaking the ceasefire within two weeks.
Unless Washington gives in, Iran's armed forces "will not allow any exports or imports to continue in the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman and the Red Sea," Ali Abdollahi stated, as reported by CNA.
The warning comes after President Donald Trump indicated that peace negotiations could resume this week. Iran also confirmed that the two sides are continuing to talk through Pakistan after the first round of negotiations failed.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance, leading the weekend talks, mentioned that the Islamic Republic was offered a "great deal" to end the six-week war and resolve decades-long disputes over Tehran's nuclear program.
For now, both parties seem determined to continue applying pressure.
Washington has been attempting to pressure Tehran by blocking its ports. The U.S. Central Command stated last night that American forces "have fully stopped the flow of economic trade in and out of Iran by sea."
The picture based on recent maritime tracking data in the Strait of Hormuz is unclear, and Iran's Tasnim news agency reported on Wednesday that shipments continue from southern Iran.
Pakistan Delegation
Speaking to the New York Post on Tuesday, Trump mentioned that a new round of talks with Iran could take place in Pakistan "in the next two days," while telling Fox Business that the war is "almost over."
From the Iranian side, a spokesperson for the foreign ministry stated that "several messages" have been exchanged through Islamabad since the talks ended on Sunday.
Stocks rose and crude oil prices fell on hopes of an agreement to restore the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian forces have constricted these waters since the U.S.-Israeli attacks began at the end of February, and they are now the focus of the U.S. blockade.
Analysts say Trump aims not only to cut off Iran's revenue but also to pressure China, Iran's largest oil buyer, to push it to reopen the strait.
In recognition of China's important role, Trump told Fox Business that he had written a letter to Xi Jinping, asking him not to supply weapons to Tehran. Trump said he received assurances from the Chinese leader that he has not done so.
U.S. Demands
Trump insists that any deal must permanently ban Iran from having nuclear weapons. He initiated the war on February 28, claiming that Tehran was rushing to complete an atomic bomb, a statement not supported by the UN nuclear watchdog (IAEA).
Reports say the United States has requested a 20-year suspension of Iran's uranium enrichment program during the talks in Islamabad. Iran, in turn, proposed to suspend its nuclear activities for five years-a proposal rejected by U.S. officials.
Tehran has always maintained that its nuclear program is for civilian purposes. A spokesperson for the foreign ministry stated on Wednesday that Iran's right to enrich uranium is "undeniable," although the level of enrichment "can be negotiated."
At an event in the state of Georgia, U.S., on Tuesday, the U.S. vice president stated that Trump had pledged to "make Iran thrive" if it commits to "not having nuclear weapons."
"That's the kind of Trumpian grand bargain that the president has put on the table," Vance added. "Man, we're going to keep on negotiating and try to make it happen."
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