Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Monday, March 23, 2026
From the Liveblog of
Monday, March 23, 2026
Iran’s top diplomat blames US for closure of Strait of Hormuz, rejects threats
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleForeign Minister Abbas Araghchi says maritime traffic isn’t passing through the Strait of Hormuz because insurance companies are concerned about the US-initiated war, not because of Iran’s actions.
“Freedom of Navigation cannot exist without Freedom of Trade. Respect both—or expect neither,” Araghchi writes on X. He adds that further threats will not sway Iranians nor insurers.
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