Iran's Conditions for Strait of Hormuz Reopening Expand
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council has introduced a new set of demands that it asserts the United States must fulfill before the Strait of Hormuz can be fully reopened to international shipping. Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, the secretary of the council, stated on Saturday, through Iran's state broadcaster IRIB, that the vital waterway would remain closed until Washington 'corrects its behavior.' This declaration signals a significant shift, as these conditions are more comprehensive than those outlined in a memorandum of understanding dated June 17 between the US and Iran.
The Six Key Demands
Zolghadr enumerated six specific conditions that Iran now requires. Firstly, Iran demands an end to perceived US threats against the nation and what it describes as insults to its national and religious values. Secondly, there must be a permanent cessation of attacks against Iran and its allies in Lebanon, Palestine, Yemen, and Iraq. The third condition calls for the lifting of the US naval blockade and the withdrawal of US naval and air forces from the vicinity of Iran. Fourthly, Iran seeks compensation for damages incurred from what Zolghadr termed 'two imposed wars.' The fifth demand is the lifting of all sanctions against Iran, and finally, the unconditional release of frozen Iranian assets.
Echoing this stance, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) also affirmed on Saturday that the reopening of Hormuz is contingent upon Washington accepting these conditions. Hossein Mohebbi, an IRGC spokesperson, was quoted by the semiofficial Tasnim news agency stating that 'Whenever the United States accepts Iran’s conditions, the Strait of Hormuz will certainly be reopened.' He also clarified that this issue is distinct from ongoing negotiations between Iran and Oman.
Departure from Previous Understandings
The conditions articulated by Zolghadr represent an expansion of the terms Iran previously put forth for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. These new demands link the operational status of the waterway to a broader spectrum of political, military, and economic issues, exceeding the scope of the June memorandum. Notably, the inclusion of Palestine, Yemen, and Iraq alongside Lebanon in the demand for an end to attacks against Iran's allies signifies a more encompassing regional perspective.
Furthermore, the explicit demand for an end to US threats and perceived insults to Iran’s national and religious values adds a layer of cultural and ideological sensitivity to the negotiations. The call for the withdrawal of US naval and air forces from around Iran, full compensation for damages from 'two imposed wars,' the lifting of sanctions, and the unconditional release of frozen Iranian assets, while some elements may have appeared in earlier proposals, are now presented as non-negotiable prerequisites for the strait's full reopening.
While some of these issues appeared in earlier proposals, the Reuters news agency reported that the June memorandum treated them as part of a reciprocal and phased process. Zolghadr is now presenting them as conditions Washington must meet before the strait can fully reopen. That also differs from Washington’s latest position. An unnamed US official told Reuters on Friday that the blockade of Iranian ports would be lifted once commercial shipping through Hormuz was restored 'without impediments', with US steps tied to Iran carrying out its commitments.
This approach diverges from what Reuters reported as the US position on Friday, where an unnamed official indicated that the blockade of Iranian ports would be lifted once commercial shipping through Hormuz was restored 'without impediments,' with US actions being contingent on Iran fulfilling its commitments.
Pezeshkian's Diplomatic Initiative
Amidst these heightened demands, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has publicly supported efforts to reach an agreement. During a news conference broadcast by IRIB, he expressed his belief that 'now is the best time for an agreement.' Pezeshkian emphasized the internal cohesion, strength, and unity within Iran, stating that the nation is perceived as victorious and powerful in the current geopolitical landscape.
The President also reflected on the past, suggesting that Tehran and Washington should have established a more robust mechanism for addressing alleged violations of their earlier memorandum, rather than allowing disputes to escalate into military confrontations. He acknowledged the ongoing efforts in the Oman negotiations to find a resolution, expressing hope that Iran could move beyond the current state of 'neither war nor peace' towards a more stable future.
