Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister said Wednesday that the United States must return to its commitments under the emerging memorandum of understanding as a necessary condition for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, but that this alone is insufficient. The statement was reported by Iran's state news agency IRNA. A senior Iranian official also told the Arabic desk that only one or two issues remain before a deal, and that the strait's status depends entirely on Washington's steps.
Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister stated Wednesday evening that the United States must return to its commitments under the emerging memorandum of understanding as a necessary condition for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, but that this condition alone is not sufficient. The remarks were reported by Iran's state news agency IRNA. A separate senior Iranian official subsequently told the Arabic desk that the ball is again in Washington's hands and that any decision on the strait hinges on U.S. actions.
The statements cap a rapid sequence of Iranian positions on Wednesday. At 17:43 Jerusalem, a senior Iranian official told Al Jazeera that only one or two disputed issues remain before a final agreement and that the strait's status depends entirely on U.S. steps, as The Zioneer reported. Shortly after, the deputy foreign minister issued two further statements: first, that U.S. return to MOU commitments is insufficient to reopen the waterway; second, that specific demands—including sanctions relief, asset unfreezing, and rejection of the Oman accord as sufficient—must be met. The thread shows a clear hardening of Tehran's stance within the same hour.
As The Zioneer has reported, the emerging U.S.-Iran MOU, as detailed in a leaked Bloomberg memo, places nearly all practical concessions on Washington, including a $300 billion reconstruction fund, sanctions relief, and an end to the conflict in Lebanon. The AP reported on a draft Iran-Oman agreement for a 60-day reopening, pending Supreme Leader approval. The semi-official Iranian outlet Tasnim has warned that continued Israeli presence in Lebanon would void any understanding. The deputy foreign minister's latest remarks go further, suggesting that even U.S. compliance with the MOU may not guarantee a return to normal maritime traffic.
What remains open: The deputy foreign minister's condition that U.S. return to MOU commitments is necessary but not sufficient introduces ambiguity about what additional steps Tehran would require. The strait remains partially closed, and the MOU has not been finalized. No timeline for further negotiations has been announced.
4 developments
- DevelopingIranian deputy foreign minister: Strait of Hormuz reopening is only partial
- DevelopingIranian official demands non-interference in Strait of Hormuz, warns of complications
- StrongUS, Gulf states condition sanctions relief on Iran reopening Strait of Hormuz
- StrongIranian army spokesman says Strait of Hormuz will only reopen if Iran's rights are respected
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