Archive · 30 Aug 2026
Iran Rejects US Sanctions Claims Strait of Hormuz Closed
Iran says it will not give in to what it calls unfair US sanctions.
It says it will use talks and its military to protect itself.
Iran also says the Strait of Hormuz is closed and that ships need its permission to pass.
The US says the strait is open, free of mines, and under an active naval blockade.
The two sides therefore disagree about what is happening in the important waterway.
The US also sent several deportees to the Central African Republic, including an Afghan man whose family had helped US forces.
In another development, Israeli settlers and soldiers surrounded a Palestinian home in Qusra.
A police shooting in South Carolina killed one officer, injured another, and left the suspect dead.
Iran says it will resist US sanctions through diplomacy and defence while protecting its interests.
Iranian officials say the Strait of Hormuz remains closed and that vessels need Tehran’s permission to pass.
The White House says its naval blockade is active, the strait is open and mine-free, and Washington is not negotiating with Iran.
A US deportation flight sent Afghans and Iranians, among others, to the Central African Republic, including an Afghan man whose family faced Taliban threats.
An officer was killed, another injured, and the suspect died in a shooting at a South Carolina park; Israeli settlers and forces also surrounded a Palestinian home in Qusra.
- Who
- The governments of Iran and the United States, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, deportees and their lawyers, Israeli settlers and forces, and South Carolina police.
- What
- A live series of international developments led by Iran’s pledge to resist US sanctions and conflicting claims over the status of the Strait of Hormuz.
- When
- Saturday, with updates dated August 30, 2026.
- Where
- Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, with additional developments in the United States, the Central African Republic, Qusra in the occupied West Bank, and South Carolina.
- Why
- Iran says it is defending its interests against US sanctions; Washington says its blockade and position on the strait remain in place. Other updates concern deportations, a Palestinian property confrontation, and a police shooting.
Iranian Position
US Position
Status of the Strait of Hormuz
Iranian Position
Iranian officials say the strait remains closed, Iranian forces have full oversight, and vessels may pass only with Tehran’s coordination and permission.
US Position
The White House says the strait is open and cleared of mines, while its naval blockade remains fully active.
Response to sanctions
Iranian Position
Iran says it will resist what it calls unjust US sanctions through a combination of diplomacy and defence.
US Position
The White House says Washington is holding no talks with Iran, while maintaining its stated blockade.
Deportation of the Afghan man
Iranian Position
The man’s attorney says he had judicial protection from removal because he could face Taliban retaliation, and court records showed threats against his family.
US Position
The United States nevertheless included him in a deportation flight sent to the Central African Republic; the report does not provide the government’s explanation for his transfer.
- Iran’s position
- Iran says it will stand firm against US sanctions and use diplomacy and defence.
- Strait of Hormuz
- Iran says the strait remains closed and vessels need coordination and permission from Tehran.
- US position
- The White House says its naval blockade is active, the strait is open and cleared of mines, and no talks with Iran are underway.
- Deportation flight
- The United States sent dozens of deportees, including Afghans and Iranians, to the Central African Republic.
- Afghan case
- An Afghan man in his early twenties had obtained court protection against removal to Afghanistan over concerns about Taliban retaliation, according to his attorney Alma David.
- South Carolina shooting
- One police officer died, another was injured, and the suspect also died at a park in Columbia.
- West Bank incident
- Israeli settlers, backed by Israeli forces, surrounded another Palestinian home in Qusra.