Iran’s Supreme National Security Council announced Saturday that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the United States changes its posture, introducing a new list of conditions into ongoing negotiations over the key trade corridor, the Associated Press reported.
In a statement broadcast on Iranian state media, council secretary Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr outlined several requirements for reopening the passage.
The demands include a permanent end to U.S. military operations against Iran and its regional allies, the immediate lifting of the naval blockade on Iranian ports, a full withdrawal of U.S. forces from the area, complete financial compensation for war damage, the removal of sanctions, and the unconditional release of frozen assets.
The U.S. government did not immediately issue a public response to the announcement. Under an interim agreement signed in June, issues regarding sanction timelines and financial compensation were slated for inclusion in a final deal, alongside talks on frozen assets. A 60-day window to complete the final framework is set to expire in just over a week, though officials note the deadline could be extended.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated earlier Saturday that progress had been made on a separate navigational agreement with Oman regarding transit routes through the waterway, though he reiterated that any full reopening remains tied to the broader conditions.
Oman’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that discussions are continuing in a positive manner while condemning recent strikes against commercial vessels in the area.
Also on Saturday, authorities in the United Arab Emirates reported that a commercial vessel belonging to state-owned energy firm ADNOC was hit by an Iranian missile in the Strait of Hormuz.
ADNOC confirmed the strike resulted in no casualties, noting that more than a dozen of its vessels have been targeted by missile and drone attacks in the region since February, resulting in one fatality and 20 injuries to date.
Separately, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported a projectile strike on a ship east of Khasab, Oman, which caused a localized fire that was safely extinguished by the crew.
Elsewhere in the region:
- Turkey Defense Pact: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan clarified that a newly signed mutual defense agreement between Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan is not directed at any specific third party. Fidan told state media that the alliance, which classifies an attack on one member as an attack on all, will establish a permanent secretariat in Saudi Arabia and may include additional regional partners like Egypt in future stages.
- Yemen Military Strikes: Spokesperson Col. Majed al-Nazili announced that Yemen’s national military launched targeted strikes against Iran-backed Houthi positions across multiple front lines. The military operations followed recent Houthi advances in central and eastern Yemen, raising concerns over the stability of the 2022 ceasefire.
- Kurdish Peace Legislation: A Turkish parliamentary committee approved draft legislation defining legal frameworks for the disarmament and social reintegration of Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) members. The bill, which advances to a full parliamentary vote next week, is designed to take effect once the National Security Council verifies the complete surrender of weapons by the group.
READ: Arrest Made After Missing California Mother Of 7 Found Dead In Ex-Boyfriend’s Garage
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
