Pakistan, May 31 -- A senior commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed on Saturday that the US naval blockade of Iranian ports remains in effect. The allegation came a day after President Donald Trump said the blockade would be lifted as part of efforts to advance negotiations with Tehran. The dispute highlights continuing tensions despite ongoing diplomatic contacts between the two countries.

Mohsen Rezaei, a senior IRGC figure and adviser to Iran's leadership, accused Trump of "betraying diplomacy" by maintaining pressure while pursuing negotiations. According to Iranian media reports, Rezaei argued that the continuation of the blockade contradicted Washington's public statements about seeking a peaceful resolution....