Iran’s top national security official declared on Saturday that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the United States “corrects its behaviour,” issuing a sweeping list of demands even as both sides say they are nearing a deal on managing traffic through the vital waterway.
Mohammad-Bagher Zolghadr, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and a former senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander, said in a written statement carried by Iranian state media, “Until America corrects its behaviour, the Strait of Hormuz will not be reopened,” according to Breitbart.
Strait Of Hormuz News: What Exactly Is Iran Demanding From The United States?
Zolghadr set out a detailed list of conditions he said Washington must meet before the strait would reopen. “Correcting its behaviour means that Iran must never again be threatened or humiliated, aggression against Iran and its allies must end permanently, the naval blockade must be lifted, US naval and air forces must withdraw from around Iran, war damages must be compensated, sanctions must be lifted and Iran’s frozen assets must be released,” Zolghadr said, according to Iran International.
Strait Of Hormuz News: How Close Are The Two Sides To An Actual Deal?
Despite the defiant tone, both sides indicated progress on a narrower, technical agreement covering shipping routes through the strait. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said negotiators were close to reaching an agreement on navigation, “specifically the determination of a transit route,” according to HuffPost, while Oman, which is mediating the talks, said discussions were continuing “in a positive and constructive atmosphere.” US President Donald Trump struck a similarly cautious note of optimism on Thursday, saying a deal “could be soon” while describing the strait as “sort of open right now” given the US Navy’s continuing blockade, according to Breitbart.
Strait Of Hormuz News: Why Has Tension Around The Strait Flared Again?
The renewed rhetoric came alongside a fresh incident on the water, after Emirati authorities said a vessel owned by Abu Dhabi’s state-owned ADNOC oil and gas company was attacked while transiting the strait, according to HuffPost. Vice President JD Vance said Washington remained in the “middle of the game,” continuing to apply diplomatic, economic and military pressure on Tehran, according to Breitbart. A 60-day window set aside to negotiate a final deal, established under the interim agreement reached in June, is due to expire within days, though it could still be extended, according to HuffPost.
With the temporary Iran-Oman framework for commercial routes still under negotiation and ship transits through the strait remaining well below normal levels, officials on both sides say the coming days are likely to prove decisive in determining whether the waterway can be reopened to full commercial traffic or whether the standoff will drag on further.
