Iran-US: Iran’s government said Saturday it will stand firm against US sanctions and lean on both diplomacy and defence to protect its interests. The statement came as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it maintains firm control over the Strait of Hormuz, accusing US leaders of spreading false statements about the passage to influence energy prices.

The White House said the US naval blockade remains fully active and the strait is open and cleared of mines, adding that Washington is holding no talks with Iran. Separately, the United States sent dozens of deportees, including Afghans and Iranians, to the Central African Republic on Saturday, among them an Afghan man whose brothers once worked alongside the US military, according to the Associated Press, citing lawyers involved in the case.

Key developments:

• Iran says it will resist US sanctions through a mix of diplomacy and defence.
• The IRGC insists it controls the Strait of Hormuz, accusing the U.S. of spreading false claims to move energy prices.
• The White House says its naval blockade is active, the strait is open and mine-free, and no talks with Iran are underway.
• Israeli settlers, backed by Israeli forces, surrounded another Palestinian home in Qusra in the occupied West Bank.
• A US deportation flight sent Afghans and Iranians, among others, to the Central African Republic, including an Afghan man whose brothers aided the US military.

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