⚠️ U.S. SANCTIONS IRAN AND DEMANDS A FULL REOPENING OF THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ
⚓ U.S. sanctions Iran over renewed attacks on international shipping: Following Iran's renewed attacks on international shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control announced new sanctions targeting a senior Iranian financial facilitator accused of institutionalizing large-scale embezzlement within the Iranian regime and diverting publicly funded wealth to offshore networks.
The Treasury also sanctioned key Iranian exchange houses reportedly moving billions of dollars annually on behalf of already-sanctioned Iranian banks as part of a broader effort to disrupt Tehran's financial networks and increase economic pressure.
Iran's Foreign Ministry responded: "The imposition of new U.S. sanctions on Iranian individuals and entities is a blatant violation of Article 9 of the MoU. We have made it clear from the beginning that our approach is 'commitment for commitment', meaning that we will not fulfill any commitment without a corresponding commitment from the other side."
🔸 Washington demands an open, toll-free Strait of Hormuz: According to Axios, the Trump administration is demanding that Iran publicly acknowledge that the Strait of Hormuz is open and pledge to stop firing on commercial ships.
A U.S. official said: "We expect the Iranians to say that every channel in the strait will be open and that it will be toll-free."
Another official warned of "harsh consequences" if Iran refuses: "If it is not their position, it is not gonna be a great day for them."
U.S. officials told The New York Times that Iran must publicly declare a halt to attacks on shipping and commit to maintaining that halt.
Qatari officials are participating in Iran-Oman talks in Muscat. According to Axios, the parties are discussing a possible statement guaranteeing full opening of the Strait's "median lane" for unrestricted commercial traffic.
Israeli i24 News reports Washington is awaiting Iran's response.
CNN reports Oman has proposed dividing shipping into two transit lanes:
• A southern route through Omani waters with unrestricted passage.
• A northern route through Iranian waters requiring prior Iranian approval, but with no transit fees.
The proposal remains under negotiation following recent discussions in Muscat.
🔸 Diplomatic outlook remains uncertain: A U.S. official told Axios that Iranian representatives contacted the administration after two days of skirmishes earlier this week, saying: "We screwed up. We made a mistake. Let's keep talking."
At the same time, The Wall Street Journal reports senior U.S. officials believe prospects for a nuclear agreement are fading.
A U.S. official told ABC News: "If we don't get the nuclear concessions, we won't have any agreement with Iran. We have many options if the Iranians refuse to hand over the nuclear material."
The Associated Press reports President Trump has given U.S. negotiators only limited time to reach an agreement.
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