(Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - Milano, 20 apr - Shares in London closed lower as growing uncertainty over prospects for US-Iran peace talks weighed on sentiment.

The US seizure of an Iranian ship this weekend ratcheted up tensions with Iran retaliating by firing on vessels and reversing an earlier decision to allow traffic to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

Tehran accuses Washington of breaking a ceasefire deal that is technically due to expire this Wednesday. It has declined to join another round of peace talks in Pakistan planned by the US.

US president Donald Trump meanwhile has renewed his threats to blow up all power plants and bridges in Iran if Tehran fails to come to the table and agree a deal.

Shares in energy shares rose tracking crude prices.

BP and Shell rose 2.94% at 556.90 pence and 2.46% at 3,274.50 pence, respectively.

The London FTSE 100 closed down 0.55% at 10,609.08 points.

(RADIOCOR) 20-04-26 18:21:51 (0542) 5 NNNN