Iran warned that the Strait of Hormuz will not open until the United States fulfills its commitments. Iran’s chief negotiator, Mohammad Bakr Kalibaf, announced on Tuesday that this strategic waterway “will not open until the U.S. obligations under the agreement protocol signed in June are fulfilled.”
Kalibaf, who is also the head of parliament, reminded in his speech broadcast on state television that the conditions include “lifting the U.S. naval blockade, unfreezing Iranian assets, lifting the oil embargo,” as well as “cessation of military operations on all fronts.”
Conflict and control over the strait
The war between Iran and the United States began on February 28 after U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran that triggered a regional conflict. Although Washington and Tehran signed a ceasefire on April 8, sporadic clashes and tensions persist, especially in the Strait of Hormuz and its surroundings.
Since the beginning of the conflict, Iran has maintained control over the strait—a vital sea route for global energy. Tehran demands that vessels obtain permission to pass and pay fees for transit services. The United States and other countries in the region oppose this demand.
Negotiations with Oman and Trump’s threats
Iran and Oman, located on the other side of the strait, have been discussing the future of shipping through Hormuz for several weeks. According to Tehran, the geographical coordinates of the route that will be allowed for shipping have already been agreed upon between the two countries. On Monday, Iran stated that the negotiations are “proceeding seriously” and that the parties are exchanging views on the text of a “joint declaration.”
U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to bomb Oman if it “interferes” in the agreement with Iran regarding Hormuz. He also called on Iran to surrender in this war, which, along with rising oil prices, is becoming a political burden for the Republican president. During his speech, Mohammad Bakr Kalibaf stated that Iran “is ready to inflict an even more devastating defeat on the enemy, proportional to its actions.”
Attack on a vessel in the Strait of Hormuz
A vessel was hit by a projectile early Tuesday morning as it exited the Strait of Hormuz, according to the British maritime trade operations agency (UKMTO). An Iranian official confirmed that the route will not be opened until the U.S. meets Iran’s conditions.
An unidentified projectile damaged the engine room of the vessel and “caused a casualty among the crew members” off the coast of Oman, reported UKMTO, citing a company security service report.
Source: Clarín
