Iran Sets Conditions For US To Reopen Strategic Strait Of Hormuz Amid Middle East Conflict
Photo: Collected
Iran has laid down a series of conditions for reopening the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz to global trade, a waterway that has remained largely closed due to ongoing conflict, according to Iranian state media.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi formally conveyed these conditions to the United States during a meeting with US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff in New York. The diplomatic engagement took place on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, where Araghchi is currently visiting.
Tehran's conditions for reopening the vital shipping lane include the immediate lifting of the United States naval blockade in the region, the immediate release of frozen Iranian assets, and the cessation of hostilities across all resistance fronts.
The Strait of Hormuz was effectively shut down by Tehran following the outbreak of a wider conflict in the Middle East, which began on February 28 after joint military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian territory.
Prior to the outbreak of the war, the crucial maritime route accounted for one-fifth of the world's total production and supply of crude oil and liquefied natural gas. Following the closure, the United States imposed a naval blockade restricting vessel movement to and from Iranian ports, as well as general traffic bound for the country.
While Washington maintained that it would protect the freedom of navigation for vessels destined for non-Iranian ports along the strait, the conflict has severely disrupted the transit of energy and cargo carriers. The resulting bottlenecks have driven up global fuel prices significantly, triggering economic strains for nations worldwide dependent on energy imports.
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