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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Patrick Wintour Diplomatic editor

Strait of Hormuz is hosting gunboat diplomacy as US and Iran vie for most effective blockade

Ships and boats in the strait of Hormuz with land visible in the background
US and Iranian activities in the strait of Hormuz is a trial on strength in which both sides believe they have time on their side. Photograph: Reuters

Donald Trump’s indefinite shelving of the plan to bomb Iran’s bridges and power stations on Tuesday night is being widely described as leaving the conflict in limbo, but that is anything but the truth.

Pakistan insists the prospect of talks in Islamabad has not evaporated, and positive messages are still being exchanged, but in the meantime the site of kinetic activity has switched from land to sea.

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