Tehran: Iran has said the Strait of Hormuz will not be reopened until the United States meets a set of conditions laid down by Tehran, even as Iranian and Omani officials indicate that discussions on a new mechanism for commercial shipping through the strategic waterway are nearing an agreement.
The latest development adds another layer to negotiations over the crucial maritime route, where tensions have remained high amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
Tehran links reopening to US concessions
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said any decision to reopen the strait would be subject to specific conditions. IRGC spokesperson Sardar Mohebi said the issue would be handled through mechanisms separate from the negotiations being conducted with Oman.
According to Iranian officials, Tehran wants Washington to accept its conditions in full and refrain from intervening in regional negotiations before normal shipping can resume.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said discussions with Oman had made significant progress and that the two countries were “very close” to an arrangement governing maritime movement through the Strait of Hormuz.
However, he indicated that additional issues, including compensation from the US to Iran, still needed to be addressed.
Iran outlines demands
Iranian officials have outlined several conditions they say must be met before the waterway can be reopened.
These reportedly include an end to US threats against Iran, a halt to military operations targeting Iran and its regional allies, and the withdrawal of American naval and air assets involved in what Tehran describes as a blockade.
Tehran has also demanded compensation for damage caused during the conflict, along with the removal of sanctions and the release of frozen Iranian assets.
Pezeshkian says time is right for agreement
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian struck a comparatively conciliatory tone, saying the current circumstances could provide an opportunity to reach an agreement.
In a post on X, he said Iran was prepared to pursue peace but would not compromise on what he described as the rights of the Iranian people. He also stressed that his government would continue to rely on domestic resources and public support.
Pezeshkian’s comments came as Iran continued to accuse the US and Israel of attempting to isolate Tehran by exploiting tensions within the region.
Strait remains key point of contention
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important maritime energy routes, making the restoration of commercial traffic a major concern for regional and international markets.
With Iran and Oman reportedly close to finalising a shipping arrangement, attention is now focused on whether Tehran’s additional conditions can be reconciled with Washington’s position.
For now, Iran’s message remains clear: progress on a shipping protocol with Oman alone will not be sufficient to guarantee the reopening of the waterway, with Tehran insisting that broader US-related conditions must also be addressed.
