Middle East crisis live: ceasefire under pressure and talks in doubt as Iran threatens to ‘retaliate’ to US seizure of ship

Donald Trump said on Sunday that US marines had taken custody of a vessel that tried to get past the American blockade on Iranian ports Tehran has ‘no plans to participate’ in new talks, state media reports, as it accuses US of violating ceasefire British foreign secretary Yvette Cooper has said that any talks between the US and Iran must result in a toll-free passage for vessels through the strait of Hormuz. Cooper is travelling to Japan on Sunday on the final leg of a diplomatic mission ahead of the US-Iran ceasefire expiring this week, which she has called a “critical diplomatic moment”. This is a critical diplomatic moment with the end of the ceasefire looming. Further talks on a lasting settlement are welcome – they must lead to a toll-free strait of Hormuz … it is about the precedent this will set for freedom of navigation all over the world. If the wrong precedent is set, it would be deeply damaging not just for the global economy, but for global security, and that is why it is an argument we must win.” Continue reading...