Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has stated it will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz until the United States meets all the requirements set by Tehran. In a statement cited by AFP on Sunday, the IRGC said the Strait of Hormuz is now a war zone for Iran and not merely a shipping route.
One of Iran's key demands is that the US provide compensation for war damage. Iran also demands an end to war and aggression against Iran and its allies in Lebanon, Palestine, Yemen, and Iraq. Additional demands include halting a counter-blockade of Iran's ports, lifting sanctions, unfreezing Iranian assets, and a request to impose charges on ships transiting the route designated by Tehran.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said talks with Oman regarding traffic and management of the Strait of Hormuz are nearing their final stage. Araghchi denied Iran is negotiating with the US, saying the two countries are only exchanging messages through intermediaries. He added that reopening the Strait of Hormuz depends on other requirements and compensation for violations of the June accord.
Oman on Saturday condemned repeated attacks on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz without directly naming Iran. Oman's Foreign Ministry said negotiations on shipping arrangements in the Strait of Hormuz are proceeding in a positive and constructive atmosphere, and urged all parties to avoid actions that could jeopardise progress in the talks.
Iran has imposed an effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz since the US and Israel launched attacks on 28 February. A series of continuing attacks on the sea lane led to the collapse of a US-Iran ceasefire in April. Mediators subsequently urged the US and Iran to return to the terms of a memorandum of understanding reached in June, which formed the basis for peace talks.
