Iran reportedly says Strait of Hormuz will not reopen until conditions are met
USO•Iran’s parliament speaker said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until seven conditions in a June interim agreement with the US are met. Iran said it had not offered nuclear inspections in exchange for sanctions relief.
1. Conditions for reopening
Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said the Strait of Hormuz would not reopen until seven conditions based on a June memorandum of understanding with the US were met. Iran presented a proposal at the UN General Assembly under which the waterway could reopen and normal maritime passage resume within seven days if the conditions were met; Washington responded through Qatari intermediaries last week.
2. Nuclear discussions denied
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran had clarified its broad positions on the US response through mediators, with additional points still to communicate. He denied that Iran had offered inspections of its nuclear facilities in exchange for sanctions relief and said Tehran had not entered nuclear discussions with Washington.
3. Warning on military action
Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Iran hoped the US would choose diplomacy but was prepared to respond if Washington again chose military action. He said Iran was more prepared than before and would take necessary action to defend itself; an Iranian army spokesperson said the country would upgrade the range of its missiles.
