Iran sets new conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz
Tehran says the strait will reopen only if the US changes its behaviour and meets a list of political and military demands.
Iran has issued a set of new conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, saying the waterway will be reopened only if the United States alters its conduct, a move that could complicate ongoing efforts to reach an agreement on managing the crucial route for oil and gas exports.
Tehran's security council lists concrete demands
The announcement came from Iran's Supreme National Security Council and was voiced by the council's secretary, Mohammad Bagher Zolqadr, who also serves as a commander in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
In his statement Zolqadr demanded: "The United States must never again threaten Iran and must permanently stop the war with Iran and its armed allies in the region. The United States must lift the maritime blockade of Iranian ports and withdraw its forces from the area, fully compensate Iran for military damage, lift the sanctions and unconditionally release the frozen Iranian assets."
Analysts say the new conditions raise the bar for any negotiated reopening because they tie maritime access directly to a broad set of political and military concessions from Washington, not merely to technical arrangements for shipping and navigation.
Diplomats involved in previous talks have warned that demands touching on sanctions relief, compensation and troop withdrawals are sensitive and could prolong or derail negotiations unless both sides agree on a phased, verifiable roadmap.
The developments will be closely watched by energy markets and regional capitals, since prolonged restrictions on transit through the Strait of Hormuz would affect global oil and gas flows and heighten tensions across the Gulf.
Photo: АП)
