Iran sets new conditions for reopening Strait of Hormuz

ISLAMABAD: Iran has put forward several conditions to the United States for the complete reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, including ending the US blockade of Iranian ports, lifting sanctions on Iranian oil exports, unfreezing Iranian assets abroad, and halting military actions and threats against Iran.

According to Iranian negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the Strait of Hormuz will not be fully reopened until the United States implements the conditions included in an interim agreement reached in June.

Tehran has demanded that the US naval blockade against Iranian ports be lifted, sanctions on Iranian oil exports be removed and Iranian assets frozen abroad be released. Iran has also called on Washington to end military threats and actions against the country.

Iranian officials maintain that reopening the Strait of Hormuz is not merely a matter of maritime navigation and commercial shipping, but is directly linked to the ongoing military tensions in the region and US policies and actions.

Earlier, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi had said that the United States would need to change some of its policies and actions for the Strait of Hormuz to be reopened. He said the imposition of new sanctions by Washington and the reimposition of restrictions on Iran’s oil sector had increased security concerns.

Meanwhile, Iran and Oman are also holding talks on establishing a temporary route for commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said that negotiations with Oman over the temporary route and the decision to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz are two separate matters.

The Strait of Hormuz, located between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, is one of the world’s most strategically important waterways. It is crucial for global oil and gas shipments, and disruptions to maritime traffic through the strait have raised concerns in international energy markets.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has said that no talks are currently taking place with Iran and that no negotiations have been scheduled. Trump has also claimed that the US naval blockade related to the Strait of Hormuz remains in place.

Iran maintains that the complete reopening of the Strait of Hormuz will depend on progress on its demands and changes in US actions, leaving the prospects for an immediate easing of tensions between Washington and Tehran uncertain.