Iran keeps Strait of Hormuz closed as seven conditions stall US negotiations

Iran has ruled out reopening the Strait of Hormuz until the United States meets seven conditions outlined in a June memorandum of understanding, prolonging uncertainty over a critical global energy shipping route as diplomatic efforts continue. 

Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said Tehran’s position remained firm, state media reported on October 4. Iran had presented a proposal during the United Nations General Assembly under which normal maritime passage through the strait could resume within seven days if its conditions were met. Washington responded to the proposal last week through Qatari intermediaries.

“The position of the Islamic Republic of Iran is completely clear and firm, and the Strait of Hormuz will not be opened until our seven conditions, based on the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, are met,” Qalibaf was quoted as saying. 

He added that Washington “must understand that the period of dragging out the (diplomatic) process and dictating one-sided demands is over”.

The standoff has implications for international energy trade. Before the conflict began at the end of February with US and Israeli attacks on Iran, the Strait of Hormuz carried around one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas flows.

Tehran rejects claims of nuclear concessions

Iranian officials have said the current negotiations are focused on reopening the strait and restoring security in the waterway, rather than making new nuclear commitments.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran had communicated its broad position on Washington’s response through mediators, although further points still needed to be conveyed.

“The Americans' propositions are more or less in line with their previous positions, specifically on the nuclear issue. We told them our focus in this stage is the issue of the Strait of Hormuz and the return to security in this waterway requires clear steps from the US,” Baghaei said.

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He also denied that Iran had offered inspections by the United Nations nuclear watchdog in exchange for sanctions relief, saying Tehran had not entered into nuclear discussions with Washington.

A document circulated during the talks outlines a seven-day trust-building period intended to restore an enhanced version of the June memorandum, including concrete steps concerning Iran’s nuclear programme, according to an official briefed on the discussions.

The official said the disagreement centred on the sequencing of the proposed steps rather than their individual components.

Qatar mediates as tensions persist

Qatar has been relaying messages between Washington and Tehran as it seeks to help end the conflict and restore passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The June memorandum had led to a brief ceasefire and included provisions concerning both the waterway and Iran’s nuclear programme.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Tehran hoped Washington would choose diplomacy but warned that the country was prepared to respond if the United States resumed military action.

“If they again move towards military solutions, we are more prepared than before and will take whatever action is necessary to defend ourselves,” Araqchi said on Sunday.

Separately, Iranian army spokesperson Mohammad Akraminia told Fars news agency that Iran would upgrade the range of its missiles. Reuters had also reported on October 1 that Iran was preparing a broader response if Washington resumed large-scale military attacks.

For now, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz remains tied to the outcome of negotiations. With Tehran insisting that its conditions must be met and the two sides still divided over the diplomatic process, the timeline for restoring normal maritime passage remains uncertain.

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