Iran has ruled out reopening the strategically important Strait of Hormuz or returning to the previous framework of negotiations with the United States until Washington meets conditions set by Tehran, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said.
According to reports, Iran has communicated its demands to the United States through intermediaries and says it will maintain its position until those conditions are addressed. The development comes amid continuing tensions between Washington and Tehran and uncertainty over the future of regional diplomacy.
The Strait of Hormuz is a major international shipping route, and reduced vessel traffic through the waterway has already raised concerns about energy supplies and global trade. Reuters reported that only a small number of commodity vessels passed through the strait over the recent weekend compared with normal pre-conflict traffic.
The issue is also unfolding as world leaders gather in New York for the United Nations General Assembly, putting renewed attention on diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions in the region.
The impact is already being seen in maritime traffic. Reuters reported that 12 commodity vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend, compared with 35 the previous weekend. Before the current conflict, the waterway typically handled around 125 large commercial vessels each day.
The latest developments come as world leaders gather in New York for the United Nations General Assembly, where the continuing US-Iran confrontation and wider West Asia tensions are expected to remain important international issues.
For now, Iran’s position keeps the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz closely linked to the outcome of negotiations and the conditions Tehran says Washington must address. The situation could have wider implications for regional security, energy markets and international shipping.