Iran Guards Refuse Hormuz Reopening Without US Meeting All Conditions

Iran's Revolutionary Guards announced Sunday they will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz until the United States accepts all of Tehran's conditions.

This statement follows Iran issuing a list of demands for the vital waterway's reopening, including compensation for war damages. The Iranian national security chief also insisted that traffic in the strait would not return to normal immediately, even if a deal were reached. Iran has maintained an effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz since late February, following attacks by the United States and Israel.

Continued attacks in the strait led to the collapse of an April ceasefire. Mediators have since urged both sides to return to the terms of a June memorandum. Tehran's conditions for reopening the strait include the US lifting sanctions and unconditionally releasing frozen assets, in addition to compensating the Islamic Republic for war damages. Iranian President Pezeshkian has called for an end to the deadlock with the US, describing it as the right moment for a lasting agreement.

Oman has also given positive signals that an agreement on navigation through the strait could be within reach. IRGC spokesperson Hossein Mohebi stated on Sunday that the current strategy is to maintain the strait's closure until the enemy accepts all conditions. The Strait of Hormuz is considered vital to the world economy. The ongoing situation means the blockade remains in effect as Iran awaits a response to its demands.