Iran Sets Strict Conditions for Reopening Key Hormuz Strait
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital waterway for global oil transport. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards announced on Sunday that they will keep it closed. They demand that the United States first meets several conditions.
Iran has blocked the strait since late February. This followed attacks by the United States and Israel. Iran wants to charge fees for ships passing through the strait.
Iran’s security chief, Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, listed these demands on Saturday. He called for an end to war and attacks against Iran and its allies. These allies include Lebanon, Palestine, Yemen, and Iraq.
Iran also demands that the US lifts its blockade on Iranian ports. Other demands include ending sanctions and releasing frozen Iranian money. Iran also wants payment for damages from the war.
The Revolutionary Guards said their goal is to keep the strait closed. This will continue until the “enemy accepts all our conditions.” They now see the strait as a “theatre of war.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed talks with Oman. These talks are about managing the strait. However, he said reopening Hormuz depends on other demands. These include compensation for breaking a June agreement.
Mr. Araghchi denied direct talks with the United States. He said they are only “exchanging messages” through other countries.
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has dropped greatly. Iran has been targeting ships it believes are avoiding its preferred route.
On Saturday, the United Arab Emirates condemned an attack. They said Iran attacked an ADNOC tanker with a missile. The attack happened in the Strait of Hormuz but caused no injuries.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) also reported an attack. A ship was hit by something off Oman. It caused a fire, which was put out, and no one was hurt. It is not clear if this was the same ship.
Oman’s foreign ministry spoke out against these attacks. They did not name Iran directly. Oman also said talks on navigation in the strait are going well. They urged everyone to avoid actions that could harm this progress.
International law generally does not allow charging tolls in such waterways.
Meanwhile, Houthi rebels in Yemen announced an attack on Sunday. They said they struck a Saudi oil facility. This attack aims to block another important waterway for oil.
