|
Iran's newly appointed head of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Mohsen Rezaei warned that Tehran will not fully reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz until the United States meets "all the conditions."
In a message posted on X, Rezaei outlined Iran's position on the Persian Gulf shipping route and clarified the required conditions for the opening of the Strait of Hormuz. "IRAN's message is clear: the Strait of Hormuz will not reopen until the U.S. ends the war and blockade, releases Iran's frozen assets, and agrees to a region-wide ceasefire, including in Lebanon and Gaza," he wrote in the post. Rezaei added, "Until all conditions are met, the Strait will remain closed." Earlier, Rezaei affirmed that the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has imposed transit restrictions since early March due to US-Israeli aggression, will only happen when Washington accepts Tehran's conditions, according to Press TV, Rezaei detailed Iran's stance during a Tuesday meeting with Chinese Ambassador Zong Piyu in Tehran, stating that the US must end the war on Iran and its regional allies and release Iran's blocked funds. "As long as the US does not change its behaviour and accept Iran's conditions, the Strait of Hormuz will not be reopened," Rezaei said in the meeting. He noted that Iran has also communicated additional conditions to the US through intermediaries involved in indirect negotiations over recent weeks. Rezaei reiterated that if Iran and Oman, the other littoral state in the Strait of Hormuz, reach an agreement on transit routes in the waterway, that agreement will have no impact on Iran's decision to close or reopen the strait. However, US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (local time) reiterated his claims of full control over the Strait of Hormuz while also warning Tehran against any actions that could see a strong response. He made the remarks while speaking to the media and accused Tehran of 'lying' to him. Trump said, "I don't trust Iran. I'm the last person who trusts Iran. They've lied to me constantly. We have total control over the Strait of Hormuz right now. They don't have control. We have total control. We own it." The US President further warned Iran against taking any action, saying that it could face a forceful response."And at some point, maybe they'll do something and then they get blown away." He added that the United States is in a "good position" and said, "Right now, we're in a very good position. We have a country that has been a bully of the Middle East for fifty years... They are no longer the bully of the Middle East." Tensions continue to simmer over the global energy chokepoint.The Strait of Hormuz remains a major flashpoint in the ongoing US-Iran conflict, with discussions underway between Tehran and Oman over the arrangements for transit through the strategic waterway. (ANI)
|
