On Aug. 28 local time, U.S. Central Command said U.S. forces are continuing a maritime blockade of Iran. As of Aug. 28 CENTCOM said its forces had guided 82 merchant vessels to alter course, rendered three merchant ships unable to navigate, and boarded and inspected two vessels.

President Pezeshkian said under the Islamabad memorandum the other side had pledged to lift the blockade and remove sanctions on banking, oil and petrochemicals and to return frozen funds. He said Iran exported about 90 mln barrels of oil during the memorandum period but cannot do that now. Pezeshkian said Iran would reciprocate if the other party fulfils its commitments and that dialogue continues. He added the other side had planned roughly $300 bln in investment and Iran held talks with Qatar and the UAE to facilitate it, but said ongoing war would prevent those investments.

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