Iran sets terms for US to reopen Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s national security chief Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr has issued a list of demands for the United States to fulfill before Tehran agrees to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, CNN reports.

Iranian state media published the demands put forward by Zolghadr, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council. The list includes lifting the US naval blockade, withdrawing US military forces and permanently ending the war.

Zolghadr also called on Washington to compensate Iran for damage caused by the conflict and release frozen Iranian assets.

“These are the demands of the Iranian people, which they have loudly proclaimed during 160 days of steadfast presence in the field and in the streets,” Zolghadr said.

“Until America corrects its behavior, the Strait of Hormuz will not be reopened,” his statement read.

The White House has not yet commented on the statements.

According to CNN, the prospect of Iranian control over the strait would be unacceptable to Washington, Abu Dhabi and Riyadh.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has repeatedly stated that any form of state control over international waters is contrary to international law. This would set a precedent in the Middle East whereby a sovereign state begins controlling an international waterway. Such a precedent could be repeated by other countries around the world.

By Jeyhun Aghazada