Iran rules out reopening Strait of Hormuz, returning to US talks until conditions met

Iran rules out reopening Strait of Hormuz, returning to talks until US meets Tehran’s conditions

Iran has ruled out reopening the Strait of Hormuz or returning to the previous framework of negotiations with the United States until Washington meets Tehran’s conditions, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said, as tensions between the two countries continue to escalate.According to Iran’s Tasnim news agency, Ghalibaf said Tehran had conveyed its demands to Washington through intermediaries and would not change its position until its conditions were met.“Until these conditions are met, the legitimate rights of the Iranian nation are recognised, and the Americans’ commitments are implemented, there will be no opening for a return to the previous conditions for negotiations or the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz,” he said.The remarks came a day after Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei said Tehran had conveyed its conditions for ending the conflict to Washington through Qatar.“Our conditions are an end to the war on all fronts, the release of our frozen funds and an end to the naval blockade,” Rezaei told Al Jazeera.The Strait of Hormuz has become a key point of contention in the confrontation. Iran’s Armed Forces spokesman Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi said the initiative in the strategic waterway remained with Iran’s armed forces, according to Iran’s Tasnim news agency.

He also rejected US statements on maritime traffic through the strait as a psychological operation.Iran has also issued fresh warnings over possible US military action. The Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said any renewed US attack would trigger attacks against American bases and interests across the region, according to Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency.“Should the United States make any mistake against the Islamic Republic of Iran, all its bases and interests in the region will be targeted in continuous, effective and painful attacks without any limitation or consideration,” the military command said.The Iranian command also warned regional countries against supporting any US military operation against Tehran, saying countries that assist Washington would be considered participants in the action, according to IRNA.Meanwhile, US central command said its forces had redirected 109 commercial vessels as part of efforts to enforce Washington’s naval blockade against Iran. CENTCOM said the vessels were redirected as of September 20 to ensure compliance with the blockade.The US military resumed enforcement of the naval blockade against maritime traffic entering and leaving Iranian ports on July 14, according to CENTCOM.US President Donald Trump has meanwhile warned Iran of consequences if Tehran refuses to change its position, while also indicating that he could be open to talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during the UN General Assembly in New York.The latest developments come as world leaders gather in New York for the UN General Assembly, with the US-Iran confrontation and wider West Asia tensions expected to remain major issues during the diplomatic gathering.