Iran Says Strait of Hormuz Stays Closed Until US Meets Demands
Iran's parliament speaker says the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the US fulfills all commitments, including lifting sanctions and the blockade.
Iran's parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, has reiterated that Tehran will continue to control shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz until the United States meets all of its conditions under the existing agreement.
Speaking on Tuesday, Qalibaf listed the demands that must be met before the strait can be reopened. These include lifting the blockade, releasing frozen assets, ending oil sanctions, and halting threats and military operations on all fronts.
Iran effectively closed the strait — a vital artery for global oil supplies — after the US and Israel attacked the country on February 28. The US has also imposed a blockade on all Iranian shipping through the waterway.
With formal negotiations between Washington and Tehran stalled, Iran has been holding separate talks with Oman on a plan to manage vessels transiting the strait. On Monday, Iranian officials said they were finalising details for a joint statement on the matter.
Qalibaf also said the ceasefire and the lifting of the blockade had helped strengthen Iran's economic resilience and defence capabilities. He warned that the Islamic Republic was prepared to inflict an even heavier defeat in proportion to any future aggression by its adversaries.