Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Dave Mattingly.
President Trump says the U.S. Navy will begin a blockade of ships moving in and out of the Strait of Hormuz today.
The blockade is scheduled to begin in five hours.
The move follows 21 hours of peace talks between the U.S.
And Iran in Pakistan, where no agreement was reached to end the war.
NPR's Di Parvez says Iran remains defiant.
Speaking to Iranian state media, Iran's parliamentary speaker,
Mohammad Borrego Libov, who participated in the negotiations, said, such threats have no effect on the Iranian nation.
And Iran's Navy commander, Amir Ironi, said that they are closely monitoring U.S. Movements in the region,
and he also called President Trump's threats, quote, very ridiculous and funny.
In addition to the naval blockade, President Trump said that the U.S.
Would begin destroying mines laid by Iranians in the Strait of Hormuz,
and added that Iranians would be, quote, blown to hell if they fired at the US.
Over the past two weeks, President Trump has threatened to destroy Iran's infrastructure,
bomb the country, quote, back to the Stone Age, and to wipe out its entire civilization in one night.
Deep Harvaz, NPR News, Vaughn, Turkey.
Ships traveling between non-Iranian ports are expected to be allowed to transit the Strait of Hormuz during the blockade.
Word of the blockade sent oil prices higher to more than $100 a barrel.
President Trump is criticizing Pope Leo for his remarks critical of the U.S. War with Iran.
NPR's Jason DeRose has more.