Iran: Hormuz Strait to remain closed until U.S. ends war, lifts blockade

Iran's new top security official, Mohsen Rezaei, has declared that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the United States meets a series of stringent conditions. In one of his first public statements since his appointment, Rezaei asserted that the vital waterway would not reopen until the U.S. ceases its war, lifts its blockade on Iranian ports, unfreezes Iranian assets, and agrees to a ceasefire across the region, encompassing Lebanon and Gaza.

Rezaei, a hardline military figure who previously led the Revolutionary Guard during the Iran-Iraq war, was appointed to head the Supreme National Security Council on Sunday. His predecessor had previously outlined similar conditions for the strait's reopening. Iran is also seeking compensation for damages incurred during the conflict.

The Strait of Hormuz, situated between Iran and Oman, is a critical global chokepoint for oil and gas transport and has become a focal point of tensions between the U.S. and Iran. U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly rejected Iran's demands and, in turn, is seeking reparations for alleged harm caused by the Islamic Republic over the years.

This escalation in rhetoric comes as analysts suggest Iran is preparing for a protracted conflict following the collapse of negotiations with the United States. The appointment of Rezaei and a subsequent renewal of military leadership by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei are seen as indicators of this strategic shift. Meanwhile, Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi arrived in Tehran for talks amid the stalled U.S.-Iran negotiations, with Pakistan acting as a mediator.