Iran issued a new warning on Wednesday, threatening to target shipping routes in the Red Sea amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to extend a ceasefire and bring an end to the war in the Middle East. The announcement came as tensions escalated following the recent U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

Ali Abdollahi, the head of Iran's joint military command, described the U.S. blockade as a precursor to breaching the existing ceasefire. He emphasized that Iran would respond forcefully to defend its sovereignty and interests. The blockage of the strategic strait has prompted Saudi Arabia to increase oil transport through the East-West Pipeline, moving up to 7 million barrels daily from Abqaiq on the Gulf coast to Yanbu on the Red Sea.

Potential disruptions to shipping in the Red Sea, potentially involving attacks by Iranian-backed Houthi forces in Yemen, pose a significant threat to Saudi oil exports. These shipments typically transit northward via the Suez Canal or southward through the Bab El-Mandeb strait, both critical maritime chokepoints.

Meanwhile, diplomatic momentum to resolve the conflict continued with several high-level engagements on Wednesday. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Jeddah to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, while Pakistan’s military chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir—who plays a pivotal role in mediation efforts—visited Tehran. Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb reaffirmed that the leadership remained committed to peace negotiations.

Regional mediators reported progress toward extending the current two-week ceasefire, which is set to expire on April 22, and resuming comprehensive peace talks. U.S. and Iranian officials reportedly reached an “in principle agreement” to prolong the truce, with ongoing engagement between the two powers to finalize a longer-term arrangement.

U.S. President Donald Trump expressed optimism, stating in a Wednesday broadcast interview that the conflict was “very close to over.” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also highlighted his country’s ongoing efforts to extend the ceasefire and restart negotiations. Erdogan underscored that “negotiations cannot be conducted with clenched fists,” warning against allowing armed conflict to overshadow diplomatic dialogue.