Tehran Lists Demands For Ending Strait Of Hormuz Closure Amid Escalating Tensions

Iran is preparing a set of conditions for reopening the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz after mediators asked Tehran to formally outline its demands, according to Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council. Rezaei said ending the regional war would be among the conditions, adding that Iran was discussing arrangements with Oman for a shipping corridor through the key waterway. Rezaei said Iran and Oman had agreed in principle on a route that would allow shipping to pass through the strait, with portions of the corridor running through Omani and Iranian waters.

Under the proposed arrangement, ships would use a designated central channel if the United States met Iran's conditions. His comments were made through an interpreter during an interview with Al Manar TV. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime route connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the wider Arabian Sea. A significant share of global energy shipments passes through the waterway, making any disruption there a major concern for international markets and countries dependent on oil and gas imports. Its strategic importance has made control and security around the strait a recurring source of tension between Iran, the United States and regional powers.

Iran's latest position comes as Tehran and Muscat continue discussions over the details of a possible agreement concerning the waterway. A senior source said on Wednesday that the two countries were still working on the terms of the arrangement after Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said that Tehran and Oman had reached an understanding on how control of the strait and revenues generated from its use could be shared. The Revolutionary Guards have also outlined conditions that Washington would need to meet before Iran agrees to reopen the waterway. A Guards spokesperson said Tehran would not allow the strait to reopen unless the United States lifted what Iran describes as a blockade of its ports.

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The spokesperson also demanded compensation and the removal of sanctions imposed on Iran. The demands reflect the broader confrontation between Iran and the United States, with Tehran linking the future of the waterway to wider political and economic issues. Iran has repeatedly opposed US sanctions and other measures that it considers attempts to restrict its economy and access to international trade. By tying the reopening of the strait to those demands, Tehran is seeking to use its strategic position in one of the world's most important maritime corridors as leverage in negotiations. The discussions involving Oman highlight Muscat's role as an intermediary between Iran and the United States.

Oman has previously played a role in facilitating diplomatic contacts between the two countries, including during periods of heightened regional tensions. The latest negotiations could therefore become an important channel for efforts to establish arrangements for commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. For now, however, there is no indication that the waterway has been fully reopened under a final agreement. Iranian and Omani officials are still working on the details, while Tehran prepares its conditions for restoring normal maritime movement. The outcome of the negotiations could have significant implications for international shipping and energy markets, particularly if restrictions on one of the world's most important oil transit routes continue.

Also Read: Iran War At Six Months: Why The Strait Of Hormuz Matters To The US