Iran ties Hormuz reopening to US concessions on demands

Iran is nearing an agreement with Oman to redefine shipping lanes through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, but insists the United States must meet additional conditions before reopening the waterway. These conditions include compensating Iran for damages caused by recent US attacks and an end to sanctions and military threats. A US official confirmed Iran and Oman were close to a deal that could restore safe passage through the strait, a crucial route for oil and gas shipping.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated the agreement was in its final stages but reiterated Tehran would not reopen the channel until the US fulfills its demands. The deal would outline the new shipping lanes once the US meets the conditions, according to Iran's Mehr news agency. Talks between Iran and the US are not direct, and Tehran will not initiate them as long as Washington breaches the interim deal signed in June.

US President Donald Trump mentioned the US is only "semi-negotiating" with Iran, focusing on Iran's economic struggles. Iran's reopening of the strait would depend on the US paying compensation for damages, ceasing threats against Iran and its allies, lifting the naval blockade in the Gulf, lifting sanctions, and releasing frozen Iranian assets.

The US and Israel's air strikes on Iran in late February led to a cease-fire in June, but the US reimposed a blockade on Iranian shipping in July, violating the truce. The Saudi energy ministry reported a fire at a refinery in Jazan, Saudi Arabia, but it was extinguished without injuries.