Tensions rise after Iran attack on three ships as US blockade continues

With the clock winding down on the two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that the temporary truce would remain in effect as the two sides discuss a more lasting peace deal. 

Trump explained he agreed to extend the ceasefire while Iran worked to deliver a unified proposal for the ongoing negotiations. In a social media post, he attributed the decision to a fractured Iranian leadership and said it came at the request of Pakistan, which is mediating the peace talks. 

In his post, Trump added that the halt in hostilities will continue "until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other."

Whether those talks will happen or when are yet to be seen. As of Tuesday night, Iran still had not agreed to negotiations and a foreign ministry spokesperson indicated earlier in the day that the country would only participate if it felt the negotiations would yield results. Additionally, Vice President JD Vance, who led the U.S. delegation in the first round of talks, and other U.S. negotiators did not depart for Pakistan on Tuesday, the White House said.

Here’s the latest for Wednesday:

Pentagon: Clearing mines in Strait of Hormuz could take months

7:48 p.m. ET: The Pentagon told lawmakers this week it will likely take six months to clear the mines set in the strait, a source told The Associated Press.

Senate rejects attempt to stop Trump's military efforts in Iran 

6:22 p.m. ET: The U.S. Senate rejected the resolution 46-51 on Wednesday as Republicans in Congress have largely backed Trump’s military efforts.

It was the fifth time this year that the Senate voted to cede its war powers to the president in a conflict that Democrats say is illegal and unjustified. The resolution would require the U.S. to withdraw forces from the conflict until Congress authorizes further action.

White House: Iran's did not violate ceasefire

4:32 p.m. ET: The seizure of two ships by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday did not violate the terms of its ceasefire with the U.S. because the vessels were not American or Israeli vessels, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told FOX News.

She described the ships as international vessels and said they were taken by gun boats. Saying Iran’s navy has been decimated, she accused the country of acting "like a bunch of pirates."

Leavitt added that the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports remains in effect.   

Eight Iranian women released

2:50 p.m. ET: President Donald Trump posted to Truth Social to relay that the eight prisoners he referenced in a previous social media post have been released. 

Ceasefire extension only limited to 3–5 days 

10:35 a.m. ET: The White House has confirmed to FOX News that the ceasefire extension is not indefinite, and only limited for 3–5 days. 

Iran acknowledged the ceasefire extension but has no word on when peace negotiations will resume. 

Iran acknowledges ceasefire extension

7:55 a.m. ET: Iran has acknowledged the ceasefire extension, according to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei. 

"Diplomacy is a tool for securing national interests and security, and whenever we reach the conclusion that the necessary and reasonable conditions exist to use this tool to achieve national interests and to consolidate the achievements of the Iranian nation in thwarting the enemies’ malicious objectives, we will take action," he reportedly on Iranian state television.

Iran has attacked three ships in the strait

6:22 a.m. ET: Iranian forces have attacked three ships that have attempted to traverse through the Strait of Hormuz. 

Two ships were attacked early on Wednesday, Iranian state television reported. Iranian officials say the ships "allegedly operated without authorization, repeatedly violated regulations, manipulated navigational aid systems and sought to covertly exit the Strait of Hormuz, endangering maritime security."

A third ship was attacked by Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, who they say had become "stranded" with no further explanation. 

The Strait of Hormuz is an international waterway that sits in the territorial waters of Iran and Oman.