Iran has warned that the strategic Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the United States fulfils Tehran’s demands, including the lifting of a naval blockade, oil sanctions and restrictions on Iranian assets abroad.
Iran’s top negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, issued the warning Tuesday in a speech broadcast on state television.
“I want to state clearly that the Strait of Hormuz will not be opened until the American commitments stipulated in the memorandum of understanding… are implemented,” Ghalibaf said.
He said Iran’s demands include the removal of the blockade, the lifting of oil sanctions and the unfreezing of Iranian assets held abroad.
The demands were part of an Iran-US truce reached in June that later collapsed.
Hormuz Remains Key Flashpoint
The dispute has kept the Strait of Hormuz at the centre of tensions between Iran and the United States.
The conflict began on February 28 following US-Israeli attacks on Iran, triggering fighting across the region.
Diplomatic efforts since April 8 have halted the most intense bombardments, but sporadic clashes have continued, particularly around the strategic waterway.
Iran has maintained control over navigation through the strait since the conflict began, requiring vessels to obtain permission and pay transit service fees. Washington and several regional countries have opposed the arrangement.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global energy route, making any prolonged disruption a major concern for international oil markets and shipping.
Iran And Oman Discuss Navigation
Iran and Oman, both of which border the Strait of Hormuz, have spent weeks discussing arrangements for future navigation through the waterway.
Tehran said the geographical coordinates of the proposed navigation route had already been agreed upon by the two countries.
Iran said Monday that negotiations were “continuing in a serious manner” and that the two sides were exchanging views on the text of a “joint statement”.
The talks come amid mounting pressure to restore stable maritime traffic through the strait.
Trump Issues Warning
US President Donald Trump has threatened military action against Oman if it “gets in the way” of a potential agreement with Iran over the waterway.
Trump has also called on Tehran to surrender as the conflict continues to create growing political pressure at home.
Ghalibaf, however, signalled that Iran was prepared to maintain its resistance.
Iran was “ready to inflict an even more crushing defeat on the enemy, proportionate to its actions and advances”, he said.
The latest warning leaves the future of one of the world’s most strategically important shipping routes closely tied to the outcome of negotiations between Tehran and Washington.
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