The American blockade of Iranian ports and renewed Iranian threats have cast doubt on an agreement just a week old, but regional officials said on Wednesday that progress is being made, telling AP that the U.S. and Iran have given preliminary consent to extend it to allow negotiations to continue.
The commander of the Iranian army's joint command warned on Wednesday that Iran will completely block exports and imports across the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, and the Red Sea if the U.S. military does not lift the blockade of Iranian ports.
"Iran will act strongly to defend its national sovereignty and its interests," said Alija Abdollahi, calling the blockade a prelude to violating the truce.
Before the two-week truce expires on April 22, mediators are striving to reach a compromise on three main contentious points that derailed direct talks last weekend. These are Iran's nuclear program, the Strait of Hormuz, and compensation for war damages.
World leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, stated on Tuesday that renewed negotiations in the coming days are certain.
At least 3,000 people have been killed in the conflicts in Iran, over 2,100 in Lebanon, 23 in Israel, and more than ten in the Arab Gulf states. Thirteen members of the U.S. armed forces have also been killed.