Iran sets new conditions for reopening Strait of Hormuz
Photo: Demands could put pressure on Trump (Getty Images)
Iran has stated that the agreement with Oman on control over the Strait of Hormuz is already close to completion. However, Tehran added that the agreement would not be sufficient to reopen the strait, as the United States must meet a series of demands, according to Reuters and The New York Times.
On Saturday, the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, stated that the US must lift its naval blockade and withdraw troops from Iran, pay war reparations, unfreeze Iranian assets, cease attacks on Iran's allies in the region, and stop threats against Tehran.
The NYT writes that Zolghadr's list of demands upended expectations that the Oman agreement would soon allow trade to resume through the Strait of Hormuz and lower global energy prices.
This is likely to put pressure on US President Donald Trump, forcing him to consider Iran's terms if he wants to lower consumer prices for Americans — an important issue for Republicans ahead of the November midterm elections.
Additionally, prior to this, IRGC spokesman Hossein Mohebbi had already stated that the opening of the Strait of Hormuz does not depend on the Iran-Oman negotiations.
What else is important to know
A few days ago, the US Senate approved temporary government funding but did not support Trump's request to allocate approximately $70 billion in military spending for combat operations against Iran.
According to media reports, Trump had a conflict with Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth over the fact that the US, amid the war with Iran, faced a missile shortage. For this reason, the White House chief demanded explanations as to why he had not been informed and how this situation had come about.
