US President Donald Trump has said he is pausing the American operation to escort vessels through the Strait of Hormuz as negotiations with Iran continue. The move comes as US forces maintain a blockade of Iranian ports and tensions persist in the Gulf despite a fragile ceasefire. Follow our liveblog for the latest updates.
Rubio calls Iran ‘test’ for UN
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday called a US-proposed UN resolution demanding Iran stop attacks and laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz a test of the utility of the United Nations and urged China and Russia not to repeat vetoes.
“Everyone wouldn’t want to see this vetoed again, and we’ve made some slight adjustments to the language,” Rubio told reporters at a White House news briefing, while adding: “I don’t know if it will avoid a veto or not.”
“I think it’s a real test to the UN … as something that functions,” he added.
Iran FM Aragchi arrives in Beijing
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Beijing on Wednesday morning ahead of scheduled talks with China’s top diplomat Wang Yi, according to Iran’s Tasnim and Fars news agencies.
“Seyyed Abbas Araghchi arrived in Beijing… at the head of a diplomatic delegation. During this visit, our country’s Foreign Minister will discuss bilateral relations and regional and international developments with his Chinese counterpart,” Fars reported.
Trump pauses US Strait of Hormuz escort operation amid Iran talks
President Donald Trump said on Tuesday evening that he is pausing the US effort to guide stranded vessels out of the Strait of Hormuz to finalise an Iran deal, but that the American forces’ blockade of Iranian ports would remain in place.
Trump announced the decision in a social media post, saying he was pausing the effort for a short period to give space for US efforts to finalise a settlement with Iran to end the war.
Trump said in the post he was making the move based “on the request of Pakistan and other Countries, the tremendous Military Success that we have had during the Campaign against the Country of Iran and, additionally, the fact that Great Progress has been made toward a Complete and Final Agreement with Representatives of Iran.”
Welcome to the FRANCE 24 liveblog covering events in the Middle East. Click here to catch up on what happened yesterday.
• Jailed Iranian Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi is fighting for her life after being hospitalised under guard for the last five days with a heart condition.
• According to US General Dan Caine, 22,500 mariners remain trapped in the Gulf unable to transit due to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
