Iran vows to maintain closure of Strait of Hormuz despite blockade
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi declared that Tehran is in no hurry to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, maintaining that the IRGC holds firm control over the waterway. This follows claims by the new Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Mohsen Rezaei, that Iran will retaliate in a seismic manner if the U.S. economic blockade continues. The impasse persists despite mediation efforts by Qatar aimed at clearing mines from the transit corridor.