Iran warns Bab al-Mandab could be closed if talks fail

Iran has warned that key maritime routes could face further disruption if diplomatic efforts fail, raising concerns over the security of global shipping lanes. According to a source cited by Reuters, Tehran maintains that no negotiations are currently taking place with the United States, accusing Washington of seeking Iran’s surrender through pressure rather than dialogue. The source said Iran would not reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for what it described as “empty promises,” stressing that any flexibility from Tehran would depend on reciprocal steps from the US side. He added that if the situation escalates further, Iran’s regional allies could move to close the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a critical chokepoint linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of […]