The secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council gave several conditions for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday. If these aren’t met, Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr said, the waterway which previously had 20% of the world’s water supply go through will stay closed.
Semi-official news agency Tasnim reported that these conditions are that the U.S. never threatens Iran; ends aggression against Tehran, Lebanon, Palestine, Yemen and Iraq; lifting the naval blockade in the strait and withdraw its naval and air forces from Iran; pay damages caused to Iran from the war; lift sanctions against Iran; and release “blocked and stolen assets of the Iranian people.”
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“The Supreme National Security Council will never back down, neither in war nor in negotiations,” he said.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi echoed these sentiments, saying that while Iran and Oman are negotiating a framework for managing the strait, this relies on the U.S. remedying what he called violations of a memorandum of understanding agreed to in June.
Among its provisions are the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the eventual lifting of U.S. sanctions, the resumption of Iranian oil exports and a U.S.-back reconstruction and development plan for Iran valued at $300 billion.
Both sides, Aragchi said, are talking about a temporary route through the strait. Current discussions are based on existing maps, and a new route will be considered once these talks are finalized, Aragchi said.
In an interview with Fox News, Vice President JD Vance said the U.S. “is talking to the Iranians.”
“We’re trying to maximize the amount of oil and gas that are coming out of the Strait of Hormuz,” he said. “That’s the thing that we’re most focused on right now.”
Added Vance: “We’re just trying to make sure that we get what we need out of this particular conflict.”
“Right now, we’re trying to see if they’re willing to make the kind of long-term changes that would be necessary to have a better relationship with the United States,” he said. “And if not, that’s fine too. We’re just going to keep on applying the pressure that we can apply and getting as much oil and gas out of the Middle East.”
Vance said the U.S. is in the “middle of the game here,” though said he still feels confident “we will get there.”
Oman’s Foreign Ministry said there are ongoing negotiations about navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. These are proceeding “in a positive and constructive atmosphere, and emphasizes the importance of avoiding any actions that could affect these negotiations and the progress achieved, which takes into account the interests of all parties,” the Oman Foreign Ministry said.
Vessel attacked in Strait of Hormuz
The United Arab Emirates Foreign Ministry said Saturday there was an Iranian missile attack on a carrier affiliated with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company in the Strait of Hormuz. No injuries were reported, according to the UAE Foreign Ministry.
The Ministry said this attack is a violation of United Nations Security Council resolution 2817, and that “using the Strait of Hormuz as a tool of economic coercion or blackmail represents acts of piracy by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, and constitutes a direct threat to the stability of the region, its peoples, and global energy security.”
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center also said Saturday it received a report from a verified source that a vessel was struck east of Khasab, Oman, which caused a fire that was later extinguished. It’s unclear if the two incidents are connected.
“Authorities are investigating. Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any
suspicious activity to UKMTO,” the center said.
Oman’s Foreign Ministry, in a statement, condemned the “repeated attacks on ships while passing through the Strait of Hormuz.”