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Iran has said the Strait of Hormuz will not reopen until seven conditions set out in an interim deal with the United States last June are met.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf made the announcement on Sunday (September 4), Reuters reported.
Iran made a proposal during the UN General Assembly session that, if conditions are met, the Strait of Hormuz could be reopened and normal shipping restored within seven days. The United States responded to this proposal last week through Qatari mediators.
“The position of the Islamic Republic of Iran is absolutely clear and firm; the Strait of Hormuz will not be opened until our seven conditions based on the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding are met,” Ghalibaf said.
He said Washington must understand, “The time for prolonging the (diplomatic) process and imposing unilateral demands is over.”
There will be no discussion on nuclear issues.
A Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Sunday that Tehran had clarified its overall position to Washington through mediators in response to the US response, but that there were still some issues to be conveyed to Washington.
“The American proposals are more or less consistent with their previous positions, especially on the nuclear issue. We have told them that at this stage our main focus is on the Strait of Hormuz and that concrete steps are needed from the US to restore security in this waterway,” said spokesman Ismail Baghai.
He also denied that Iran had offered the UN nuclear watchdog (IAEA) access to its nuclear facilities in exchange for the lifting of US sanctions. He said Iran had not initiated any nuclear talks with Washington.
An official familiar with the talks said last week that the document currently under discussion outlines a seven-day confidence-building process aimed at bringing the two sides back to an improved version of the memorandum of understanding agreed to in June, which includes specific steps on Iran’s nuclear program.
The official added that the main reason for the disagreement is not the content of the plan, but rather the phase in which the steps will be implemented.
Aragachi’s warning
Speaking to foreign ambassadors and diplomats in Tehran on Sunday, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran expects Washington to choose the path of diplomacy. But he warned that Iran is ready to respond if the United States takes military action again.
Iran is preparing a more comprehensive and harsh response if Washington resumes large-scale military strikes, multiple sources told Reuters on Thursday.
“If they again move towards a military solution, we will be more prepared than ever and will take any necessary steps to protect ourselves,” Aragchi added.
On Sunday, military spokesman Mohammad Akraminia told the Fars News Agency that Iran would increase the range of its missiles.