Standoff escalates after Iran closes Strait of Hormuz over US blockade

Tankers anchored in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Qeshm Island (Asghar Besharati/AP)

Iran reversed its decision to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and warned that it would continue to block transit through the strait as long as the US blockade of Iranian ports remained in effect.

The escalating standoff over the critical chokepoint threatened to deepen the energy crisis roiling the global economy and push the two countries toward renewed conflict, even as mediators expressed confidence that a new deal was within reach.