Iran sets new conditions for reopening Strait of Hormuz
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Iran has set new conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, saying the waterway will remain closed until the United States changes its behavior toward Tehran.
Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and a commander in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), said the U.S. must end threats against Iran, permanently halt its war with Iran and its regional allies, lift the naval blockade of Iranian ports and withdraw its forces from the region.
He also called for compensation for war damage, the lifting of sanctions and the unconditional release of Iran’s frozen assets.
The statement came shortly after the United Arab Emirates said that Iran attacked one of its ships, an ADNOC-owned tanker, with a missile while it was transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
The United States did not immediately comment. Under an interim agreement reached in June, sanctions relief, compensation and frozen assets are expected to be addressed as part of a final agreement.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Saturday that they were close to reaching an agreement on navigation through the Strait, but added that reopening the waterway depended on other conditions.
Oman, which is mediating the talks, said discussions were continuing in a “positive and constructive atmosphere” and condemned attacks on ships in the strategic waterway.
The proposed Iran-Oman agreement would temporarily reopen the Strait, with ships entering through a route near Iran and exiting through one near Oman, according to two people familiar with the talks. Ships would not pay fees or tolls during the interim period.
The agreement would also revive a previous U.S.-Iran arrangement and restart a 60-day period for negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program. Iran would be allowed to resume oil sales during that period.
The current 60-day deadline is due to expire in just over a week. The proposed agreement is backed by Gulf Cooperation Council members and could be jointly announced by Iran, Oman, the U.S. and the International Maritime Organization, although its terms remain subject to change.