Iran Again Refuses to Reopen Strait of Hormuz Unless US Meets Demands

Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, on Aug. 3, 2026. STR/ReutersIran warned on Aug. 10 that it would not reopen the Strait of Hormuz unless the United States agreed to a list of concessions, despite negotiations between Iran and Oman over a new maritime route entering the final stages.“It is up to the U.S. side to stop and make amends for its illegal and destructive actions,” Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said, referencing the U.S. military’s blockade of Iranian ports.On Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that an agreement on the establishment of a new maritime route in the Strait of Hormuz had entered the “final stages.”However, Araghchi reiterated the regime’s position that the new shipping lanes would not be opened until the United States agreed to Tehran’s demands.On Aug. 8, Iranian Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohammad-Bagher Zolghadr said the United States would need to comply with multiple demands for the Strait of Hormuz to reopen.The demands included the United States ending its war with Iran, removing the naval blockade, withdrawing military troops, lifting sanctions on the regime, releasing blocked Iranian assets, paying damages caused by the war, and avoiding future threats against Iran.Over the weekend, Iran confirmed that it was continuing to negotiate with Oman to finalize a new maritime route in the Strait of Hormuz. However, Tehran warned that an agreement to establish the new route would not result in the reopening of the strait unless the United States agreed to its demands.“Talks with Oman do not mean the Strait of Hormuz will be reopened,” Araghchi said on Aug. 9. “An agreement may be reached, but reopening the strait depends on other conditions conveyed through intermediaries.”Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.This is a developing story that will be updated.