Iran Rejects Reopening Strait of Hormuz, Demands Six Conditions Including US Withdrawal and Compensation

Mohammad Bagher Vakili, Secretary General of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, announced on the 8th (local time) that Iran would not reopen the Strait of Hormuz until the U.S. fulfills six conditions, including troop withdrawal and compensation for war damages. The six conditions include ending threats against Iran, halting attacks on pro-Iranian factions, withdrawing U.S. forces, full compensation for war damages, complete lifting of sanctions, and unfreezing assets. This stance is tougher than the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) signed in June, as Iran has explicitly clarified that sanctions relief is a precondition for reopening the strait.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian criticized the U.S. for violating the existing MOU agreement, while Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi maintained that even if negotiations with Oman were close to a deal, U.S. compensation must precede the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance stated that while Iran had pledged to abandon commercial tolls and firing, their words alone were insufficient. He declared that the removal of mines laid by Iran must precede the normalization of navigation. Vice President Vance added that the U.S. is discussing measures for safe vessel transit with Gulf states.