Iran has maintained a de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz since US and Israeli strikes on its territory in late February, demanding tolls from vessels and targeting ships it says are trying to bypass its designated route. The strait, previously open to free transit, has seen repeated attacks that collapsed an April ceasefire, prompting mediators to push both sides back toward a June memorandum’s terms.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said talks with Oman on managing transit through the strait were nearing conclusion, but stressed that reopening remains contingent on other conditions, including compensation for breaches of the June accord.
Security chief Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr outlined Tehran’s demands on Saturday, calling for an end to hostilities against Iran and its allies in Lebanon, Palestine, Yemen and Iraq, alongside the lifting of a parallel US naval blockade, an end to sanctions, release of frozen assets, and compensation for war damage, according to Tasnim news agency.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said separately that the strait’s reopening was unrelated to the Oman talks, insisting “the enemy” would be forced to accept Iran’s terms.
