Iran Keeps Hormuz Closed as US Deal Stalls

The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the United States fulfills the terms of the preliminary agreement reached in June. Iran’s chief negotiator, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, made the announcement on Tuesday.

Tehran is demanding the lifting of the US blockade of Iranian ports, as well as the lifting of oil sanctions, the unfreezing of assets and an end to military threats.

The memorandum of understanding dated 17 June quickly fell apart due to a dispute over control of this key maritime route, through which one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas flowed before the conflict. On 7 July, US President Donald Trump declared the agreement terminated, to which Tehran responded by announcing its suspension.

The agreement originally provided for a 60-day period to negotiate a permanent settlement, including the issue of Iran’s nuclear program. However, diplomatic efforts have reached an impasse, prompting Iran to announce a shift to a “fully offensive” military posture.

A senior Iranian official told Reuters on Monday that Iran would now adopt a “fully offensive” stance due to stalled diplomatic efforts to achieve a permanent end to the conflict.

(Reuters, max)