US Imposes Blockade on Iranian Ports Amid Middle East Conflict; Hezbollah Opposes Lebanon-Israel Talks

The US initiated a blockade of Iranian ports in the Gulf on Monday, escalating a six-week conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran. m. Iranian time, applying to vessels entering or departing Iranian ports or coastal areas.

Ships using non-Iranian ports would remain unaffected. The blockade centers on the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of global oil and gas supplies passed before the war. Seafarers and the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations received advisories indicating the measure would apply to all ship traffic, regardless of flag.

The action follows failed negotiations in Islamabad over the weekend.

Hezbollah Rejects Lebanon-Israel Negotiations A senior official from the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah stated the group would not abide by any agreements from direct talks between Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors in Washington.

The official spoke on the eve of the scheduled meeting, marking the first face-to-face discussions in decades between envoys from the two nations, which lack diplomatic relations. Hezbollah's leader urged Lebanon to withdraw from the talks in a televised address. Lebanese officials aim to broker a ceasefire in the ongoing war with Israel.

The government, committed to disarming Hezbollah, had called for direct talks early in the conflict. Israel announced approval of the talks last week. The latest fighting began on March 2, when Hezbollah fired rockets into northern Israel following US and Israeli attacks on Iran.

Lebanese health ministry data reports at least 2,055 people killed in Israeli strikes, including 252 women, 165 children, and 87 medical workers, with 6,588 wounded. More than 1 million people have been displaced.

US Statements on Blockade and Iran The US president stated that 34 ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, though no supporting evidence was provided.

Speaking to reporters, the president said the other side had contacted the US expressing a desire to make a deal. The president insisted no agreement would permit Iran to possess a nuclear weapon. > "Iran will not have a nuclear weapon, and we’re going to get the dust back.