Iran sets strict conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz

10:30

By: Sahili Aya

Iran sets strict conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz

Iran has laid out a series of stringent conditions for any reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, casting doubt on hopes that the strategically vital waterway could soon return to normal operations.

A senior Iranian official said Saturday that the strait would remain closed unless the United States changed its approach toward Tehran, according to Iranian media reports.

Tehran demands major US concessions

Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said that the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed “as long as the United States does not change its behaviour.”

His remarks contrast with signs of progress reported in recent days in discussions between Iran and Oman over the future management of the strategic maritime passage.

Tehran is demanding that Washington permanently end what it describes as war and aggression against Iran and its allies. Iranian authorities are also calling for the lifting of the blockade affecting the country’s ports.

The demands extend beyond maritime access and include a broader restructuring of US policy toward Iran.

Sanctions and frozen assets at the centre of demands

Iran is also seeking the removal of US sanctions and the release of Iranian assets currently frozen abroad.

Tehran further wants full compensation for damage it says was caused by the war that began on February 28 with what Iranian authorities describe as a US-Israeli offensive against the country.

The combination of these demands makes the reopening of the waterway dependent on a much wider political agreement, rather than a simple arrangement governing maritime traffic.

Strait remains critical to global trade

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most strategically important maritime routes, connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.

Any prolonged disruption can have consequences well beyond the region, particularly for energy markets and international shipping.

Iran’s latest position therefore threatens to prolong uncertainty surrounding one of the key routes through which global energy supplies move.

For now, Tehran’s conditions appear to leave little room for an immediate reopening. The future of the strait will depend on whether negotiations involving Iran, the United States and regional intermediaries can bridge the significant political differences outlined by Iranian officials.