The authorities further confirmed that the ship was subsequently seized in what they characterized as international waters.

He added that there is a strong possibility that Iran will host a Pakistani delegation later today as part of the ongoing diplomatic process.

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced that Islamabad would continue its mediation in the peace process between the two archenemies.

Speaking about the recent discussions with America on Sunday, the spokesman for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that no one had thought talks would end in an agreement in just one discussion.

Prime minister met the Iranian and US delegation in Islamabad

"In case it isn't complied with, which will not happen, 'The Shootin' starts,' and will start bigger and better than you have ever seen before," he continued.

The threats to maritime traffic are rising as the US-Israel conflict with Iran is escalating in the region.

The White House has signaled a willingness to escalate strikes if Iran refuses compliance. President Donald Trump warned that any refusal to acknowledge military defeat could provoke "a strike stronger than any before."

Turkey has criticised the European deployments to Cyprus as moves that risk dragging the island into the conflict.

He subsequently directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to take all necessary steps to ensure the safe repatriation of Pakistanis stranded in Iran.

The decision was announced after the US Department of the Treasury issued a special license through its Office of Foreign Assets Control authorizing the delivery and sale of Russian-origin crude and petroleum products already loaded on vessels.

Investigators have not yet determined what evidence led to the belief that US might be involved in the attack and what type of weapon was used, or the reasons behind the strike.

According to the US State Department, a government-chartered flight carrying American citizens departed the Middle East for the US, while additional evacuation flights are being organized from various locations across the region.

According to international media, Shirreff said that as a former senior commander he does not use the term lightly and that current global tensions, particularly following the recent war between the US, Israel and Iran, have created a situation that could lead to World War III.

In 1989, following the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, Khamenei was appointed Supreme Leader, becoming the country’s highest authority and taking control over the military, judiciary, media, and foreign policy.