Iran has rejected US President Donald Trump’s claim that the United States has “total control” of the Strait of Hormuz, insisting that the strategic waterway will remain closed until Washington changes its policies and accepts Tehran’s conditions.
Mohsen Rezaie, the newly appointed head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, reportedly told China’s ambassador to Tehran that Iran would not reopen the strait until the United States changes its “behaviour” and agrees to Iran’s demands.
The Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy routes, normally carries around one-fifth of global oil and natural gas shipments. However, commercial shipping has been severely disrupted amid the ongoing US-Israel war with Iran.
Trump said on Tuesday that the US “totally” controls the strait. Iran, however, continues to maintain restrictions on shipping, while attacks and confrontations involving vessels have increased in the region.
US Central Command said a US Navy helicopter fired two Hellfire missiles at the Panama-flagged cargo ship M/V Vela Nova in the Gulf of Oman after the vessel allegedly attempted to breach a US blockade of Iranian ports. The strike reportedly damaged the ship’s steering system, with no crew casualties reported.
Tensions have also spread to the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, where Yemen’s Houthis have attacked shipping. Yemeni authorities said six people were killed in an attack on the Egyptian-owned Tihamah cargo vessel, including four crew members and two rescuers.
Iran has demanded several conditions before reopening the Strait of Hormuz, including the lifting of US sanctions, the release of frozen Iranian assets, compensation for attacks, an end to the US naval blockade of Iranian ports and a wider regional ceasefire.
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts are continuing. Iran has been holding talks with Oman over a possible future arrangement for managing the Strait of Hormuz, including the creation of new shipping lanes.
Qatar has also reported receiving positive signals from both Tehran and Muscat regarding a possible reopening of the waterway.
Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi travelled to Tehran on Tuesday as part of efforts to revive negotiations between Iran and the United States. The talks are linked to an interim memorandum of understanding brokered by Pakistan and Qatar, which is due to expire next week.
Analysts say a diplomatic solution remains possible if both sides are willing to compromise. However, continued escalation could leave the Strait of Hormuz restricted and prolong the wider conflict in the Middle East.
Source: Al Jazeera
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