Iran Doubles Down On Strait Of Hormuz

CAIRO (AP) — Iran has doubled down on its pledge to restrict ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz as long as the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports remains in place. Mediators are scrambling to extend the ceasefire set to expire on Wednesday. The dueling blockades have complicated Pakistani-led mediation attempts and raised questions about whether the two-week truce can be extended. Iranian parliamentary Speaker Mohammed Bagher Qalibaf criticized the U.S. blockade as a “naive decision made out of ignorance.” He said Iran still seeks peace despite deep-seated distrust of the United States.