Strait of Hormuz won't reopen until U.S. meets demands: Iran
· Toronto Sun
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The Strait of Hormuz will not reopen until the United States meets Iran’s demands, the country’s top negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said on Tuesday.
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“I want to state clearly that the Strait of Hormuz will not be opened until the American commitments stipulated in the memorandum of understanding … are implemented,” Ghalibaf said in a speech, which was broadcast on state television.
Ghalibaf listed the demands, which include the removal of the U.S. naval blockade, lifting of oil sanctions and the unfreezing of Iranian assets. All of which were listed in the memorandum of understanding the two countries signed in June as part of a ceasefire, which later collapsed, AFP reported.
Since Feb. 28, Iran and the U.S. have been at odds after a U.S.-Israeli attack on the Islamic Republic triggered a conflict across the Middle East.
Iran has retained control of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital conduit for global energy, since the war broke out. Vessels travelling through the waterway must seek permission and pay transit fees.
For weeks, Iran and Oman have held talks to discuss the future of navigating through the waterway. Iran stated the geographical coordinates of the route envisaged by both countries “have been agreed on.”
Trump threat to Oman
On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to bomb Oman if it “gets in the way” of a deal with Iran on the strait, while calling for Tehran to surrender.
Ghalibaf said Iran was “ready to inflict an even more crushing defeat on the enemy, proportionate to its actions and advances.”
Qatari foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari told the media on Tuesday that the agreement between Iran and Oman over the Strait of Hormuz is crucial in making negotiations between Tehran and Washington to end the Middle East conflict easier.
“We are also awaiting an agreement between the Sultanate of Oman and Iran regarding the Strait, which would enable us to return to the framework of negotiations,” Al Ansari said, per AFP.
“The agreement over the Strait of Hormuz would make it much easier for us to resume the talks between the United States and Iran.”