Iran: Reopening Hormuz depends on U.S. guarantees for ending the war

Iran has stated that reopening the Strait of Hormuz depends on receiving “objective guarantees” from the United States for ending the war on all fronts and implementing the commitments set out in a seven-day diplomatic initiative from Tehran. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said that Tehran also demands the release of frozen Iranian assets, the lifting of restrictions on oil and an end to the naval blockade.

Under the initiative proposed by Iran, the U.S. would first have to implement these measures, while Tehran would then be ready to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and start negotiations on a final agreement within seven days. Khatibzadeh said the initiative was conveyed to Washington through Qatar and that Iran subsequently received the American response through the same mediation channel. “The ball is in the U.S.’s court,” he declared.

According to the Iranian official, Tehran continues to seek a diplomatic solution while at the same time maintaining high defence readiness for any scenario.