Speaker of the Iranian Consultative Assembly and chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, announced on Tuesday that the strategic Strait of Hormuz will not be reopened until the United States fulfills Iran's demands, including lifting the naval blockade on its ports.
اضافة اعلان
"I want to state clearly that the Strait of Hormuz will not reopen until the American commitments stipulated in the memorandum of understanding are fulfilled," Ghalibaf said in a speech broadcast on state television.
He listed these conditions as lifting the blockade, canceling oil sanctions, and unfreezing Iranian assets held abroad.
Ghalibaf's remarks came ahead of his visit to Iraq.
Iran's official news agency, IRNA, reported that Ghalibaf will head to Iraq on Wednesday morning at the head of a parliamentary delegation.
IRNA added that he will discuss regional developments, ways to enhance strategic cooperation between Tehran and Baghdad, and joint mechanisms to contribute to establishing stability and security in Western Asia.
He is scheduled to meet with several senior Iraqi officials to discuss developing bilateral relations, border security, counter-terrorism, expanding economic cooperation, and implementing joint agreements between the two countries, according to the agency.
The United States reinstated the naval blockade on Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz following renewed clashes, described as the fiercest since the ceasefire between the two sides took effect in April.
Iran warned that resuming the naval blockade on its ports undermines the memorandum of understanding signed with Washington.
War broke out on February 28 when Israel and the United States attacked Iran. Tehran responded by closing the Strait of Hormuz, which prior to the conflict served as the primary transit corridor for roughly one-fifth of global energy supplies.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the central flashpoints in the conflict, as Iran's control over the waterway has provided it with significant leverage and a key bargaining chip.
American bombardment of Iranian territory has continued since hostilities resumed on July 7.
Reuters
