Iran has ruled out reopening the Strait of Hormuz until the United States meets seven conditions outlined in a June memorandum of understanding, prolonging uncertainty over a critical global energy shipping route as diplomatic efforts continue.
Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said Tehran’s position remained firm, state media reported on October 4. Iran had presented a proposal during the United Nations General Assembly under which normal maritime passage through the strait could resume within seven days if its conditions were met. Washington responded to the proposal last week through Qatari intermediaries.
“The position of the Islamic Republic of Iran is completely clear and firm, and the Strait of Hormuz will not be opened until our seven conditions, based on the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, are met,” Qalibaf was quoted as saying.
He added that Washington “must understand that the period of dragging out the (diplomatic) process and dictating one-sided demands is over”.
The standoff has implications for international energy trade. Before the conflict began at the end of February with US and Israeli attacks on Iran, the Strait of Hormuz carried around one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas flows.
Iranian officials have said the current negotiations are focused on reopening the strait and restoring security in the waterway, rather than making new nuclear commitments.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran had communicated its broad position on Washington’s response through mediators, although further points still needed to be conveyed.
“The Americans’ propositions are more or less in line with their previous positions, specifically on the nuclear issue. We told them our focus in this stage is the issue of the Strait of Hormuz and the return to security in this waterway requires clear steps from the US,” Baghaei said.