Iran says Strait of Hormuz fully closed, downplays new US sanctions as expected

TEHRAN, Iran — A senior Iranian foreign ministry official said the United States' new sanctions decision was not a surprise and that Tehran had prepared fully for it. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi added that if Washington wants to return to the diplomatic table, Iran has not violated the Islamabad understanding and that the US has walked away from negotiations three times in the past 16 months. Gharibabadi said necessary preparations had been made with the Omani government on the Strait of Hormuz, and that Iran would respond if the other side met its obligations. He rejected claims that some vessels were passing through freely, stating that the Strait of Hormuz is completely closed. Any transit, the official said, would be possible only with Iranian coordination and permission. Gharibabadi added that the Iranian Armed Forces fully control all movement in the strait and are carrying out their mission effectively, and that no ship can pass through without coordination from Iran.