Iran Insists Strait of Hormuz Will Stay Shut Until US Meets Seven Conditions

Ships remain anchored in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Bandar Abbas, Iran, due to the ongoing maritime blockade. According to Iran’s top negotiator and parliament speaker, the crucial waterway will stay closed until the United States accepts Tehran’s seven-day plan to reopen it.

Iranian state-linked news agency Nournews reported on Sunday that Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated Washington made “some proposals through a mediator” just days after the US responded to Iran’s diplomatic proposal. Ghalibaf emphasized that the US must understand that the era of wasting time and dictating unilateral demands has ended, reiterating that Iran’s position is clear and definite.

He further stressed that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until all seven conditions, based on the Islamabad memorandum, are fully met. Warning that Iran is present on the military battlefield and prepared to confront opponents with new surprises, Ghalibaf noted that Tehran is neither excited nor intimidated by recent US proposals and remains ready to both fight and negotiate.

Last week, US President Donald Trump rejected the Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz just hours after it was introduced. This followed threats made by Trump last month during a speech on the floor of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to annihilate Iran.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on Sunday that Iran remains serious about finding diplomatic solutions while equally committed to defending itself. Speaking to foreign ambassadors and diplomats in Tehran, Araghchi explained that Iran's conditions for reopening the strait were clearly outlined and expressed hope that Washington would ultimately choose diplomacy.

However, Araghchi issued a warning that any renewed military action by the US would be met with heightened preparedness and necessary defensive measures from Iran. Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei added that Tehran used the UNGA platform last month to brief world leaders on its stance regarding the US-Israel war on Iran. He noted that while the US continues to prioritize nuclear talks, Iran's primary focus remains the reopening of the strait to restore peace and stability.

The Strait of Hormuz has faced severe disruption and blockades for more than seven months, following the initial US and Israel strikes on Iran on February 28, which triggered one of the most severe maritime shipping crises in decades.