Iranian authorities say the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the United States fulfils conditions outlined in an interim agreement reached with Iran in June.
Iranian negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, while speaking to parliament, said the conditions include the U.S. lifting its blockade of Iranian ports and oil sanctions, unfreezing Tehran’s assets, and ending threats and military operations on all fronts.
The memorandum of understanding, reached on June 17, quickly collapsed amid disagreements over control of the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway through which about a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas flowed before the war.
U.S. President Donald Trump said the deal was “over” on July 7, while Iran’s foreign ministry declared it “suspended” a week later.
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Under the MoU, Iran and the U.S. had agreed to negotiate a final deal within 60 days, with the possibility of extending the period by mutual consent. The negotiations were expected to address broader issues, including the future of Iran’s nuclear programme.
A senior Iranian official told reporters on Monday that Tehran would now adopt a “fully offensive” posture following stalled diplomatic efforts to achieve a permanent end to the conflict.
Reuters
