India, April 16 -- Mediators moved closer Wednesday to extending the ceasefire between the US and Iran and restarting negotiations to salvage the truce before it expires next week.

A senior Iranian military official threatened to halt trade in the region if the US does not lift its naval blockade, underscoring tensions that are overshadowing the diplomacy.

The US blockade on Iranian ports and renewed Iranian threats have imperiled the week-old agreement, but regional officials said Wednesday they were making progress and that the US and Iran had given an "in principle agreement" to extend it to allow for more diplomacy.

The commander of Iran's joint military command warned Wednesday that Iran would completely block exports and imports ...