Iran refuses to lift Hormuz blockade without US concessions
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Iran's top security official, Mohsen Rezai, said on August 11 that the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz will remain in place until the US meets Tehran's conditions. The statement comes as Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that talks with Oman on shipping are near completion, but warned that a deal alone would not automatically resume traffic.
The Blockade Ultimatum
Mohsen Rezai, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said the US must change its behavior and accept Iran's conditions or the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed. He accused Washington of being the source of instability in the Persian Gulf and of launching an illegal war. On August 8, the council published a list of demands including lifting all sanctions and the naval blockade, unfreezing Iranian assets, compensating damages, halting threats, and ending the war against Iran and its allies.
Oman-Mediated Talks
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that negotiations with Oman over shipping regulations in the strait are close to completion. However, he stressed that even after an agreement, vessel traffic will not automatically resume; the US must first fulfill Iran's terms. The talks have been a key diplomatic channel, but Tehran insists on a sequenced implementation of any deal.
What's Next
The negotiations with Oman are expected to continue, but no timeline for a final agreement has been set. It remains unclear whether the US will accept Iran's demands, raising the risk of prolonged disruption to global oil shipments through the strait.
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Iran refuses to lift Hormuz blockade without US concessions
