Hormuz Strait to remain closed until US accepts its conditions

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the United States accepts all of Tehran’s conditions.

IRGC spokesman Hossein Mohebbi made the remarks in a statement broadcast on state television on Sunday (August 9), saying keeping the strategic waterway closed was currently part of Iran’s strategy.

“Until the enemy accepts all our conditions, our current strategy is to hold on to the strait,” he said.
Iran no longer views the Strait of Hormuz merely as a shipping route, Mohebbi said, describing it as “effectively a battlefield” for the country at present.

The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and is one of the world’s most important energy transit routes. A significant share of global oil and gas shipments passes through the waterway, meaning any prolonged closure or disruption could have a major impact on global energy supplies and markets.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran is not currently holding direct talks with Washington. The two sides are communicating only through intermediaries, he said.

Araghchi previously accused the United States of violating the terms of a memorandum of understanding between the two countries. Iran has said it will not consider resuming direct talks with Washington until the issues are resolved.

Iran’s latest position on the Strait of Hormuz comes amid continued tensions between Tehran and Washington and uncertainty over whether direct negotiations between the two countries will resume.