Tehran: Iran’s Supreme National Security Council has said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the United States changes its approach, according to Iran’s state broadcaster.
The statement, attributed to council secretary and Revolutionary Guard commander Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, could add a new complication to ongoing discussions over the management and movement of vessels through the strategic waterway.
Iran has laid out several conditions for reopening the strait. These include a commitment from the US to stop threatening Iran, permanently end the war against Iran and its regional allies, lift the naval blockade of Iranian ports, withdraw its forces from the region and compensate Iran for war-related damage.
Tehran has also demanded the lifting of sanctions and the unconditional release of frozen Iranian funds. There was no immediate response from Washington to the demands.
Iran, Oman holding talks
Iran had earlier said it was close to reaching an agreement with Oman over the management of the Strait of Hormuz.
Oman, which has played a mediating role in the region, said talks were continuing in a “positive and constructive atmosphere” and condemned attacks on vessels travelling through the waterway.
The developments come after UAE officials said a vessel owned by Abu Dhabi’s state oil and gas company ADNOC was attacked while passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The UAE Foreign Ministry said Iran had fired a missile at the vessel, describing it as an attack on commercial maritime traffic.
