Iran sets new conditions for reopening Strait of Hormuz

Tehran’s senior security official announced on Monday that the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz will depend on a set of broader diplomatic and security conditions, extending beyond the immediate cease‑fire arrangement that ended the brief closure of the waterway earlier this week. The official, identified as Brigadier General Hossein Khatibi of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, said the strait could be fully reopened only after what he described as “the removal of hostile actions and sanctions that threaten Iran’s sovereignty” and the establishment of a verifiable guarantee that no further attacks on Iranian vessels will occur.

Khatibi outlined that the conditions include a formal U.S. commitment to halt naval deployments in the region, the cessation of what Iran calls “illegal” sanctions targeting its oil exports, and the initiation of direct talks aimed at a lasting security framework for the Persian Gulf. He added that Iran remains prepared to cooperate with international maritime agencies to ensure safe passage, provided the stipulated measures are met. The announcement comes as global shipping firms monitor the situation closely, noting that any prolonged disruption to the Hormuz corridor could affect a significant share of the world’s oil supply. The Iranian side emphasized that the broader conditions are intended to secure long‑term stability rather than a temporary reopening, signaling that future navigation through the strait will hinge on diplomatic progress.