Iran has issued a strict list of demands to the US in exchange for agreeing to reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz for commercial shipping, CNN reported.
Mohammad Bagher Zolqadr, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, outlined the prerequisites for ending the maritime standoff.
Specifically, Iran is demanding the immediate lifting of the US naval blockade, the withdrawal of American military forces from the region, and a complete cessation of hostilities.
Furthermore, Zolqadr stated that Tehran expects financial compensation for damages incurred and full access to its frozen assets abroad.
“Until America changes its behavior, the Strait of Hormuz will not open,” Zolqadr declared.
The White House has not yet issued a public response or comment regarding the demands.
Suspended strikes and negotiations
The Iranian ultimatum comes exactly a week after US President Donald Trump announced a suspension of planned military strikes against Iran to allow for diplomatic negotiations.
On Aug. 2, Trump stated on Truth Social that the US military was “locked and loaded” but had agreed to a request from Tehran and neighboring countries to hold off on an attack, provided a deal could be reached rapidly.
Israel also joined the US in committing to pause military action during the talks.
The primary US condition for this pause, according to Trump, was the “immediate, complete, and total opening of the Hormuz Strait,” alongside an end to Iran’s nuclear threat.
Prior to the suspension, Washington had been preparing a military response to a July 28 Iranian missile attack.
Admiral Brad Cooper, head of US Central Command (CENTCOM), had reportedly prepared a plan for a massive air campaign targeting Iranian energy infrastructure that would have spanned 10 to 14 days.
In response, Tehran has threatened widespread retaliation.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi informed his counterparts in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan that any US or Israeli strikes, or the facilitation of such strikes by regional states, would be met with a “proportional response.”