Iran will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz until the United States meets seven conditions outlined in a June agreement, according to Iranian officials. Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Iran’s parliament speaker, stated the conditions must be met for the waterway to reopen, a position reiterated by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei. The demand comes after the US responded to an Iranian diplomatic proposal regarding the strait, with Iran characterizing US proposals as insufficient.
Qalibaf, as reported by state news agency Nournews, said Washington has made “some proposals through a mediator,” but Iran is “not excited” or “intimidated” and will “both fight and negotiate.” He emphasized that Iran is “present on the military battlefield and will confront them with new surprises.” Araghchi affirmed Iran’s seriousness about both diplomatic solutions and self-defense, stating Iran clearly explained its conditions for reopening the strait. Baghaei added that Iran presented its position on the US-Israel conflict with Iran at the UN General Assembly last month.
Al-Jazeera reports the Strait of Hormuz has been largely blocked for over seven months, following US and Israeli strikes on Iran in February, causing significant maritime shipping disruptions. Newsmax notes that Donald Trump previously ruled out an Iranian proposal to reopen the strait and threatened to “annihilate” Iran during his speech at the UN General Assembly. Iran’s position is that reopening the strait is its “main goal,” while the US remains focused on nuclear talks, according to Iranian officials. The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial waterway, carrying approximately one-fifth of global oil and natural gas during peacetime.
Our reading is that Iran is leveraging the disruption to maritime shipping, caused by recent conflict, to extract concessions from the US beyond simply resuming nuclear talks. The insistence on seven specific conditions, coupled with the stated lack of enthusiasm for US proposals, suggests a firm negotiating position. While Iran claims to seek a swift resolution to reopen the strait, its emphasis on both diplomacy and military preparedness indicates a willingness to maintain pressure until its demands are met.
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