The president also said Iran, with help from the U.S., is working to remove all mines from the strait. A spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry said the blockade was a violation of the ceasefire agreement.
Diplomats worked through back channels Tuesday to arrangeΒ a new round of talksΒ between the United States and Iran after Washington enacted itsΒ blockade of Iranian ports, while Tehran threatened to retaliate by striking targets across the war-weary region.
The decision caps a swift political fall for the seven-term lawmaker, who had been seen as a frontrunner in CaliforniaβsΒ gubernatorial raceΒ before dropping out as the allegations surfaced, claims he has continued to deny.