Iran threatens ports in Mideast as US military set to impose shipping blockade

CAIRO (AP) — U.S. Central Command says it will begin a blockade of all Iranian ports and coastal areas at 9 a.m. CDT Monday, or 5:30 p.m. in Iran, to be “enforced impartially against vessels of all nations.” But it will allow ships traveling between non-Iranian ports to transit the Strait of Hormuz. That’s a step down from an original vow by President Donald Trump to entirely blockade the strait. Early reports are indicating that traffic in the strait has ground to a half since the blockade was announced. The Iranian military responded with a threat that no port in the Persian Gulf or Gulf of Oman would be safe if its own ports were threatened. The two-week ceasefire remains in doubt. Pakistan, which hosted the talks, says it will seek more dialogue.