Hormuz Will Not Open Until US Meets Demands – Iran

Iran’s top negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said the strategic Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the United States meets Tehran’s demands, including the lifting of a naval blockade.

Ghalibaf made the statement on Tuesday in a speech broadcast on Iranian 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,” he said.

He listed the removal of the blockade, the lifting of oil sanctions and the unfreezing of Iranian assets abroad among Tehran’s demands.

The conditions were reportedly included in an Iran-US truce agreed in June, which later collapsed.

The war between Iran and the United States began on February 28 after US-Israeli attacks on Iran, triggering a wider conflict across the region.

Diplomatic efforts since April 8 have brought an end to intense bombardments, but sporadic clashes have continued, particularly in and around the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran has maintained control over the strategic waterway since the conflict began, requiring vessels to seek permission and pay transit service fees — a move opposed by Washington and several countries in the region.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global energy route through which a significant share of the world’s oil supplies passes.

Iran and Oman, both of which border the strait, have for weeks been discussing the future of navigation through the waterway.

Tehran said the geographical coordinates of a proposed navigation route have already been agreed upon by both sides.

On Monday, Iran said the talks were “continuing in a serious manner,” with both sides exchanging views on the text of a proposed joint statement.

The negotiations have taken on added significance following comments by US President Donald Trump, who threatened to bomb Oman if it “gets in the way” of a deal with Iran over the strait.

Trump has also called on Tehran to surrender as the conflict becomes an increasing political burden at home.

Ghalibaf, however, struck a defiant tone, saying Iran was prepared to respond forcefully to any further action against the country.

He said Iran was “ready to inflict an even more crushing defeat on the enemy, proportionate to its actions and advances.”