The United States has fully implemented its blockade of Iranian ports, U.S. Central Command confirmed Tuesday, as Washington intensifies pressure on Tehran to relinquish control of the Strait of Hormuz—a critical route for global shipments of oil, fertilizer, and other essential goods.

Iran has warned it will retaliate, stating that no Gulf port would remain safe if the blockade persists, raising concerns about further escalation in the region.

Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts are ongoing. Pakistan is working to arrange a second round of negotiations between the United States and Iran after marathon talks in Islamabad over the weekend ended without a breakthrough. The conflict has now entered its seventh week, with a temporary two-week ceasefire set to expire Tuesday.

U.S. President Donald Trump said in a recent interview that the next round of talks could take place “over the next two days.”

In a separate diplomatic development, Lebanese and Israeli officials held direct talks in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday—the first such engagement between the two countries since 1993. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio participated in the meeting, which concluded with an agreement to begin formal negotiations, according to a joint statement.