Iran is preparing a list of conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, according to Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. Rezaei stated on Thursday that mediators from Qatar, Oman, and Pakistan have requested Tehran to clarify its terms, which include ending the regional conflict.
The discussions took place as Qatar’s prime minister visited Tehran, marking the third mediation effort from these countries within a week. Qatar’s Foreign Ministry indicated that the talks included a temporary corridor through the strait and a joint initiative to remove mines from the area.
Rezaei mentioned that Iran and Oman have agreed on a corridor that would traverse both Omani and Iranian waters, allowing vessels to use a central channel if the United States meets Iran’s demands.
He emphasized that the US must take concrete actions to satisfy Iran’s conditions before the Strait of Hormuz can be reopened. A spokesperson for Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that Iran would not permit the reopening unless the US lifted its blockade of Iranian ports, compensated for war damages, and removed sanctions.
The strait was effectively closed by Iran following the US-Israel bombing campaign that began on February 28. It was briefly reopened under a June Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which required Iran to clear mines and allow ships to pass free of charge for 60 days, contingent on the US lifting the blockade and easing sanctions. However, Iran declared the strait closed again after accusing the US of violating the MoU, which expired on August 17.
On the same day as Rezaei's comments, US President Donald Trump stated in the Oval Office that the waterway was “open,” claiming that US forces had cleared it of mines and that millions of barrels of oil were exiting the strait daily. Trump also indicated that he was not in a hurry to resume negotiations with Iran, with a source from his administration confirming that the blockade would remain in effect and that no talks were scheduled.