Iran has said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the United States fulfils seven conditions contained in a June interim agreement between both countries.
Gatekeepers News reports that Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, speaker of Iran’s parliament and the country’s chief negotiator, made the position known on Sunday, according to Iranian state media.
Qalibaf said Iran’s position was “completely clear and firm”, adding that the waterway would not be reopened until the seven conditions outlined in the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding are met.
Iran had presented a proposal during the United Nations General Assembly under which normal maritime passage through the strategic waterway could resume within seven days if the conditions were fulfilled. The United States subsequently responded to the proposal through Qatari intermediaries.
The dispute comes amid ongoing tensions between Tehran and Washington following the conflict that began after US and Israeli strikes against Iran in February.
Iranian officials said the current discussions are focused primarily on restoring security and normal passage through the Strait of Hormuz rather than reopening negotiations on its nuclear programme.
Esmaeil Baghaei, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson, said Tehran had communicated its broad position to Washington through mediators but still had additional points to convey.
He also rejected reports that Iran had offered concessions on inspections of its nuclear facilities in exchange for relief from US sanctions, saying Tehran had not entered into nuclear negotiations with Washington at this stage.
Qalibaf said Washington must understand that the period of delaying the diplomatic process and imposing unilateral demands was over.
The Iranian parliament speaker also said the disagreement between the two sides was largely about the sequence in which the terms of the June memorandum should be implemented.
Qatar has been involved in efforts to mediate between Iran and the US as both sides seek a way out of the standoff.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has maintained that Tehran prefers diplomacy but is prepared to respond militarily if Washington chooses confrontation over negotiations.
The Strait of Hormuz is a major route for global oil and gas shipments, making any prolonged disruption a concern for energy markets.
Although Middle Eastern crude exports recently recovered to levels around or above those recorded before the conflict, attacks on vessels around the waterway have increased, threatening the fragile recovery in shipping activity.
Oil prices have remained elevated amid uncertainty over the security of the waterway, with Brent crude still trading above $100 per barrel despite efforts by major economies to release emergency oil reserves.
