US Taking Steps to Shield Ships from Iran Navy

The U.S. Navy will now accompany all U.S. commercial ships traveling into and out of the Persian Gulf.

That comes after a provocative incident with Iran's Revolutionary Guard navy this week. Iran seized a foreign ship after firing warning shots at it.

"The ship was asked to come to port; it refused. And our naval forces took action to escort it to the port," Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said.

The incident took place in the Strait of Hormuz, a very narrow waterway which is the export route for about one-fifth of the world's oil. Iran has threatened to block the Strait before, which could spark a military conflict.

U.S. defense officials say U.S. Navy ships will now protect all ships with an American flag from Iranian interference in that area.

Despite the tension, Iran is still pushing for its nuclear deal with the U.S. and Europe.

Iran's foreign minister says his country is ignoring opposition from Congress and working only with President Barack Obama.

"As a foreign government, I only deal with (the) U.S. government. I do not deal with U.S. Congress," Zarif said.

"The responsibility of bringing that into line falls on the shoulders of the president of the United States. And that's the person with whom we are making this agreement," he said.

Concerned members of Congress have said now is not the time to make concessions to Iran, when the hardline Islamic regime is clearly feeling the pinch from Western sanctions.

At least 47 members of Congress have signed a letter warning that any nuclear deal made with Obama will expire the day he leaves office.

Zarif met with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry earlier this week for the first time since they agreed on a framework for a nuclear deal earlier this month.