Iran Keeps Strait of Hormuz Closed Pending US Commitments

(MENAFN) Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until Washington meets Tehran’s demands and returns to an earlier memorandum of understanding between the two sides.

IRGC spokesman Hossein Mohibi makes the remarks during a press briefing in Isfahan, saying the reopening of the strategic waterway depends on the United States changing its position.

“If the US stops its obstruction and returns to the memorandum, we can reopen the Strait of Hormuz within the framework of the understanding reached,” Mohibi said.

He further warns that the waterway will not reopen if Washington refuses to accept Iran’s conditions.

“If the US does not accept our conditions, the Strait of Hormuz will under no circumstances be reopened,” he added.

Mohibi says Iran continues to exercise control over the strait and that no “enemy military vessels” are currently operating in its waters.

He adds that hostile vessels are positioned at least 400 kilometers (248 miles) from the waterway and insists that ships cannot transit the strait without explicit approval from Tehran.

The IRGC spokesman also says Iran began negotiations with Oman around a month ago, with the discussions resulting in arrangements that both sides consider acceptable.

According to Mohibi, the talks also address the division of the strait’s waters between the two countries and the distribution of revenues generated from transit through the strategic waterway.

MENAFN27082026000045017640ID1111586373