The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps declared on Saturday that the Strait of Hormuz will only reopen once the United States fully accepts Iran’s conditions.

IRGC spokesperson Sardar Mohebi emphasised that reopening the waterway would depend on specific mechanisms and conditions distinct from the ongoing negotiations with Oman. He stated that the US must end interference in regional negotiations before any reopening could take place.

Iranian officials confirmed that discussions with Oman are progressing towards a new shipping protocol for the strait. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the two sides were very close to reaching an agreement, but additional conditions would need to be met. He highlighted that US compensation to Iran was among the requirements before the strait could be reopened.

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council secretary Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr outlined a detailed list of conditions.

These included an end to US threats against Iran, cessation of military action against the country and its regional allies, withdrawal of naval and air forces enforcing the blockade, compensation for damages caused during the conflict, and the lifting of sanctions with the unfreezing of Iranian assets.

President Masoud Pezeshkian described the current situation as the best time to reach an agreement. He stressed that Tehran would not compromise on the rights of the Iranian people. In a post on X, he reiterated that the government’s reliance is on domestic capacities and the people, while underlining the necessity of a compassionate approach towards citizens. He quoted a principle that people are either religious brothers or equal in creation.

Pezeshkian also accused Israel and the United States of attempting to turn Persian Gulf states against Tehran. He alleged that both nations were exploiting Iran’s internal challenges amid the ongoing West Asia conflict. His remarks came as the military confrontation continues, with the restoration of commercial maritime transit through the Strait of Hormuz remaining a central issue.

The IRGC’s position underscores Tehran’s determination to link the reopening of the strait to broader strategic concessions from Washington. The conditions laid out by Iranian officials highlight the depth of mistrust and the scale of demands that must be addressed before any resolution can be achieved.

The situation remains fluid, with negotiations involving Oman offering a potential pathway, but the decisive factor lies in whether the United States will accept Iran’s terms in full.

ANI