Iran issues tough demands to reopen strait of Hormuz as deal remains out of reach

Iran has set stringent conditions for reopening the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, while the UAE reported an incident involving one of its ships allegedly targeted by an Iranian missile. As a deal to open the critical waterway remains elusive, tensions continue to escalate. On Saturday, Iran's supreme national security council, akin to a politburo, demanded the United States "correct its behavior" before the strait could reopen.

The council's secretary, Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, a commander in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, stated in a statement that the US must cease threatening Iran, lift its naval blockade of Iranian ports, withdraw its military forces, compensate Iran for war damages, lift sanctions, and unconditionally release frozen assets.

No immediate response from the US was available, as the nation had sought a mutually acceptable resolution before ending the blockade. The interim deal signed in June aimed to address sanctions, compensation, frozen assets, and navigation arrangements, but the full reopening of the strait hinges on meeting these additional demands.

Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, hinted at progress in discussions regarding navigation specifics, but stressed that the overall situation was a result of US violations of the interim agreement. Oman, mediating the talks, reported an ongoing, constructive atmosphere and condemned ship attacks on the strait. Iran has effectively blocked the strait and considers charging for passage, attacking vessels it suspects of bypassing its preferred route.

The US opposes any Iranian tolls, though the June deal allows Tehran to negotiate future administration arrangements with Oman. The 60-day negotiation window to finalize an agreement expires in less than a week but may be extended. Iran had previously reached an agreement with Oman on managing the strait, which runs between the nations.

Persistent attacks on the strait, which was previously free for transit before the war, led to the collapse of an April ceasefire. Mediators have since urged both parties to adhere to the terms of the June memorandum. The strategically important strait, crucial for global oil and natural gas supplies, had been considered an international waterway until the ongoing conflict.

Ship transit levels have remained low. Additionally, a vessel belonging to Abu Dhabi's state-owned Adnoc oil and gas company was targeted by an Iranian missile while navigating the strait, according to Emirati authorities. The missile attack occurred early Saturday, with no reported casualties. Adnoc stated that over a dozen of its vessels had faced missile and drone attacks since the US and Israel initiated hostilities against Iran in February, resulting in one crew member's death and 20 others being wounded.

The company did not specify the attack's location or damage details. The UK Maritime Trade Operations center later reported a vessel east of Khasab, Oman, being struck by a projectile that caused a fire, but the vessel and crew were unharmed. It remained unclear if this incident matched the Adnoc report.