Trump sparks extraordinary row with pope before posting picture of himself as Jesus

The US military blockade of all Iranian ports and coastal areas began on Monday as US President Donald Trump warned any "fast attack ships" caught trying to approach the blockade will be "eliminated".

Posting on Truth Social, Trump said if attack ships came near the US navy blockade, they would be destroyed "using the same system of kill that we use against the drug dealers on boats at Sea" a day after ceasefire talks between the US and Iran ended without reaching an agreement.

However, after Pope Leo condemned the United States' role in the conflict, the president's focus on Monday night remained fixed on the Vatican.

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