Trump threatens to strike Iran power plants unless deal reached – Middle East crisis live

The brief

The US first imposed the blockade in mid-April and then lifted it in mid-June, a day after the signing of the interim deal aimed at permanently ending the war. The deal set a 60-day timeline to also negotiate an agreement on Iran’s nuclear program, but talks have stalled as fighting over the strait has intensified. Today, Iran’s deputy foreign minister said the US decision to renew the blockade “has, in a way, dismantled the Islamabad memorandum”. Kuwait says its air defences are now intercepting Iranian attack drones. Kuwaiti air defenses are currently engaging hostile drone attacks following the nefarious Iranian aggression,” the Kuwaiti army said. Sirens have sounded in Bahrain,…