Source Reuter
TEHRAN — Iran has declared that the strategic Strait of Hormuz will remain closed to commercial maritime traffic until the United States fully complies with the terms of an interim agreement signed earlier this summer.
Speaking before parliament, Iranian Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that maritime passage through the chokepoint depends on Washington lifting its naval blockade on Iranian ports, removing oil export sanctions, unfreezing seized assets, and ceasing all military operations and threats across the region.
“Until America’s commitments in the memorandum of understanding are implemented, the Strait will not be opened,” Ghalibaf said, accusing Washington of backtracking on its obligations.
The diplomatic deadlock stems from the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding signed on June 17, which sought to establish a framework for broader peace negotiations. However, the agreement quickly deteriorated amid sharp disagreements over the control and security of the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of global oil consumption typically passes.
In Washington, President Donald Trump rejected Tehran’s framing, stating that formal talks with Iran are neither taking place nor scheduled. Trump asserted that the U.S. maintains its naval presence and disputed claims that shipping remains blocked, saying that the waterway is operational and cleared of mines.
With the initial 60-day negotiation window expiring without a breakthrough, senior officials in Tehran warned that Iran may shift toward an offensive posture if diplomatic efforts fail to yield immediate sanctions relief and an end to the naval blockade.
