Strait of Hormuz blocked as gaps remain on Iran peace talks

Reuters:

WASHINGTON/ISLAMABAD, April 19 – Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz was at a standstill on Sunday after Iran reasserted control over the strategic waterway that is ​key to global energy supply, days before a fragile ceasefire with the United States was set to expire.

Iran’s top negotiator said recent talks with the U.S. had made progress, while President Donald ‌Trump cited “very good conversations” with Tehran.

But neither side offered any specifics and Iran’s chief negotiator, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, said the two sides remained far apart on nuclear issues and the Strait of Hormuz, the two main sticking points.

On Saturday, Iran, which had earlier announced it would allow shipping to pass through Hormuz, reversed course, accusing Washington of violating a ceasefire agreement by maintaining its own blockade of Iranian ports.