Iran: Full Fulfillment of U.S. Obligations Is Prerequisite for Reopening Strait of Hormuz

The Iranian government has stated that the complete fulfillment of U.S. obligations is the primary prerequisite for reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Tehran maintains a hardline stance that unless the previous memorandum of understanding, which was scrapped by the U.S., is restored first, there will be no preemptive measures by Iran to reopen the strait.

In an interview with state broadcaster IRIB on the 25th local time, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said, "Before taking any steps to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the United States must fully implement all the obligations it has violated."

Gharibabadi shifted the fundamental responsibility for the closure of the strait onto the U.S., stating, "The reason we preemptively blocked the strait before the full-scale U.S. economic sanctions were imposed is fundamentally because the U.S. failed to fulfill its obligations under the agreement in the first place."

Gharibabadi additionally presented three specific conditions for the normalization of navigation through the strait.

He emphasized, "The Strait of Hormuz will reopen only when the fulfillment of U.S. obligations is accompanied by guarantees of an end to the war on all fronts, the lifting of the blockade, and a resolution to the situation in Yemen."

He also issued a strong warning regarding the possibility of U.S. military intervention.

Gharibabadi dismissed U.S. claims about mine-clearing operations within the strait as mere propaganda and lies.

He asked rhetorically, "If the U.S. had actually cleared the mines, why is it that still no ships are able to pass through the strait?" and threatened, "If U.S. mine sweepers enter this region, they will become prime targets for us."

Gharibabadi also mentioned a new counter-strategy against U.S. sanctions on Iran.

He added, "We must not respond to the enemy's sanctions in the same way as in the past," and "Our new response will directly target their economic interests."

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.