William Hague: Iran must comes to its senses on nuclear programme European Union foreign ministers are today expected to announce an embargo on Iranian oil exports, amounting to the most significant package of sanctions yet agreed. They are also likely to impose a partial freeze on assets held by the Iranian Central Bank in the EU. Tehran has threatened to block the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation. Tankers carrying 17 million barrels of oil pass through this waterway every day, accounting for 35 per cent of the world's seaborne crude shipments. At its narrowest point, located between Iran and Oman, the Strait is only 21 miles wide. But today's ramping up of measures reflects concern that Iran is developing nuclear weapons under the guise of a nuclear energy programme. Mr Hague commented: "These (sanctions) are peaceful and legitimate measures. They are not about conflict. I hope Iran will come to its senses on this issue and agree to negotiate. He added: "Any attempt to close the Strait of Hormuz would be illegal, and I believe would be unsuccessful." Mr Hague said an oil embargo was designed to persuade the Iranian government to launch "meaningful" talks with the international community on its nuclear intentions. Europe's foreign policy chief Baroness Catherine Ashton also insisted the sanctions were needed to bring Iran back to the negotiating table. An offer to Iran three months ago to begin new talks has gone unanswered, she pointed out. But concern remains that sanctions designed to hit Iran will inevitably hit some EU member states as well. Last month, Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, commander of the Iranian navy, claimed that closing the Strait would be "easy," adding: "As Iranians say, it will be easier than drinking a glass of water." But USS Abraham Lincoln, a nuclear-powered carrier capable of embarking 90 aircraft, passed through this channel and entered the Gulf without incident on Sunday. HMS Argyll, a Type 23 frigate from the Royal Navy, was one of the escort vessels making up the carrier battle-group. A guided missile cruiser and two destroyers from the US Navy completed the flotilla, along with one warship from the French navy.