Iran refuses to reopen Strait of Hormuz until US meets conditions

Iran will maintain a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz until the United States fulfills seven specific conditions outlined in a June Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf announced on Monday, 5 October. The statement follows the collapse of a 14-point diplomatic framework in July that was intended to de-escalate tensions and address Iran's nuclear programme. Conditions for reopening maritime route Addressing the Iranian Parliament, Ghalibaf stated that Tehran rejected recent proposals delivered through an unnamed mediator. He asserted that the strategic waterway, which serves as a primary transit point for global oil supplies, will remain restricted until Washington adheres to the "Islamabad Memorandum." The speaker claimed the era of "dictating unilateral demands" had ended, emphasizing that Iran’s position is definite despite recent U.S. strikes on Iranian military and civilian assets. The 14-point June MoU previously established a roadmap to reach a final agreement within 60 days. This framework included the creation of a High-Level Committee for political oversight and dedicated working groups to manage sanctions, nuclear monitoring, and dispute resolution. However, the agreement fell apart in July, leading to a series of retaliatory military actions, including Iranian strikes on American bases in the Gulf. Escalation in the Gulf The blockade threat comes as regional conflict intensifies. Ghalibaf’s announcement follows reports…