US warns Iran it will step up economic pressure; two more ships attacked in Hormuz

AI Summary

The United States warned Iran it will increase economic pressure following renewed attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran resumed assaults on ships it accuses of transiting the strait without permission, amid stalled ceasefire talks from June.

By Jonathan Saul, Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali LONDON/PANAMA CITY, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Transit through the Strait of Hormuz appeared to grind to a near standstill on Friday after two more ships were attacked there and the United States said it could maintain a naval blockade of Iran indefinitely. A senior Iranian source said on Wednesday that there had been no progress in talks to build on a June agreement to end the war. As a ceasefire renewed then broke down, Iran has resumed attacks on ships it accuses of trying to transit the strait without its permission.