Hormuz Strait to remain shut until US meets interim deal conditions, Iran says

Iran's top negotiator, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, declared that the crucial Strait of Hormuz will remain shut until the United States fulfills the terms of an interim deal signed in June. These conditions, as outlined by Qalibaf in comments published by state media, are extensive and include the U.S. lifting its blockade of Iranian ports, ending oil sanctions, unfreezing Tehran's assets, and ceasing military operations and threats across all fronts.

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The Strait of Hormuz will remain shut until the US meets the conditions ​of an interim deal signed with Iran in June.

The memorandum of understanding, initially clinched on June 17, quickly encountered significant obstacles, primarily concerning control over the Strait of Hormuz. This narrow waterway is a critical chokepoint, historically responsible for the transit of a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas before the current conflict.

Disagreements over the deal's implementation led to its unraveling. U.S. President Donald Trump declared the agreement "over" on July 7, with Iran's foreign ministry formally suspending it a week later. The MoU had stipulated that Iran and the U.S. would negotiate a final agreement, encompassing broader issues like Iran's nuclear program, within a maximum of 60 days, with the possibility of mutual extension.

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The ​memorandum of understanding, clinched on June 17, quickly ​unravelled over a dispute about control of the Strait of Hormuz.

Amidst the stalled diplomatic efforts to secure a permanent end to the conflict, a senior Iranian official indicated on Monday that Iran would adopt a "fully offensive" posture. This shift signals a potential escalation in regional tensions as diplomatic avenues appear to have reached an impasse.

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Iran would now shift to a “fully offensive” posture ⁠due ​to the stalled diplomatic ​efforts to secure a permanent end to the conflict.