Iran's IRGC sets conditions to reopen Strait of Hormuz, demands US end blockade

Tehran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on Tuesday that it will consider reopening the Strait of Hormuz only if the United States provides concrete assurances that attacks on commercial vessels in the waterway will cease. The statement, issued by the IRGC’s naval command, came amid a series of missile and drone strikes that have targeted oil tankers and cargo ships transiting the strategic chokepoint over the past month, prompting heightened regional tensions and concerns over global oil supplies.

U.S. officials responded by emphasizing the need for Iran to halt all hostile actions before any navigation agreements can be negotiated, while also urging Tehran to engage in direct talks to address the security of maritime traffic. Diplomatic channels in Washington and Doha have been activated to explore a framework that could include verification mechanisms and the release of detained seafarers. Both sides appear to be seeking a de‑escalation pathway, but the IRGC’s demand for explicit U.S. commitments underscores the fragile balance between maintaining free passage through the strait and preventing further disruptions to international shipping.