Iran Links Strait of Hormuz Reopening to US Commitments

Iran is prepared to reopen the Strait of Hormuz under an arrangement with Oman, but only if the United States fulfills its commitments outlined in a June memorandum, according to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Tehran and Muscat have reached an agreement on a passage route through the strategic waterway, which has been communicated to Iran's supreme leader.

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We agreed with Oman on the passage route through Hormuz, and if the US fulfills its commitments under the memorandum of understanding, we will open the strait.

Pezeshkian stated that the reopening of the strait is directly tied to Washington meeting several conditions. "If the US fulfills its commitments regarding lifting the sanctions and blockade, releasing assets, beginning investment and ending the war in Lebanon, we will also open the Strait of Hormuz," he said, as reported by Iran's official news agency IRNA.

Negotiations have reportedly made progress, with the United States also acknowledging the need to return to the memorandum. Iran's Supreme National Security Council reached a consensus on the agreement, with 12 out of 13 members voting in favor. Pezeshkian highlighted this "collective wisdom" as a major achievement.

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If the US fulfills its commitments regarding lifting the sanctions and blockade, releasing assets, beginning investment and ending the war in Lebanon, we will also open the Strait of Hormuz.

Under the memorandum, sanctions and blockades were initially lifted, and negotiations began on releasing frozen Iranian funds and preparing for investments totaling $300 billion. Pezeshkian noted that Iran's imports and exports subsequently fell by 25 to 35 percent. He also mentioned that banking and petrochemical sanctions were removed, and Iran exported nearly 90 million barrels of oil during the agreement's effective period. However, he lamented that the memorandum collapsed because the US did not comply with its terms.

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This collective wisdom was a major achievement.

Pezeshkian also addressed domestic energy concerns, describing Iran as being in a "state of war" due to blocked transport routes, import restrictions, and declining government revenues. He indicated that Iran had been working to restore the Strait of Hormuz to its previous status before the collapse of the agreement.

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We are in a state of war.