PRESIDENT Donald Trump’s move to blockade all Iranian shipments in and out of the Strait of Hormuz poses a serious threat to the fragile ceasefire and may jeopardise any potential for further negotiations between Washington and Tehran. This decision was made just hours after high-level talks in Islamabad that, although not resulting in any formal agreement, had left the door open for continued discussions. Through the blockade, Trump wants to force Iran to accept the terms presented by American Vice-President J.D. Vance during last weekend’s talks in Islamabad.

However, this escalatory action to restrict access to the critical waterway may not achieve what the US six-week military campaign failed to accomplish. Iran has threatened to resume attacks on American military assets in the Gulf if the naval embargo is not lifted, rendering the situation more volatile. The US threat to cut off Iran’s oil exports could draw other countries, both from the region and beyond, into the conflict.

This development is seen as a setback to the efforts made by Pakistan and other regional nations to prevent the derailment of the fragile dialogue process. Trump’s gunboat diplomacy once again put the world on edge. There is, however, still some hope that he will walk back from the brink and return to the negotiating table in the face of increasing international and domestic pressure. Indeed, he hinted as much yesterday, saying that “something could be happening over the next two days, and we’re more inclined to go there [Pakistan]”.

It was indeed a historic moment last week when American and Iranian officials met in Islamabad at practically the........

© Dawn