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The Strait of Hormuz will reopen only if the U.S. accepts conditions set by Iran, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps spokesperson Brig. Gen. Huseyin Muhibbi said, rejecting suggestions that the issue depends on negotiations between Tehran and Oman.
Muhibbi said reopening the strategic waterway was subject to mechanisms determined by Iran and argued that Washington must also stop interfering in regional negotiations.
“The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz depends on the U.S. accepting Iran’s conditions and is not related to negotiations between Iran and Oman,” the IRGC spokesperson said, according to Iranian media.
His remarks came as Washington separately said it expected Iran and Oman to reach an agreement soon that could help restore commercial shipping through the strait.
According to Iran’s Tasnim News Agency, Muhibbi made the comments while speaking to reporters in Hormuzgan province during an event marking Journalists’ Day.
Asked about the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, he said the waterway was not only important economically but also represented “one of the key elements of the country’s geographical and strategic power.”
Muhibbi said any reopening would be governed by Iran’s own mechanisms and conditions.
“The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is subject to the mechanisms and conditions determined by Iran. It is not related to negotiations between Iran and Oman,” he said.
He also maintained that Washington would have to accept Tehran’s conditions and stop what he described as interference in regional negotiations.
“If the U.S. accepts Iran’s conditions, the Strait of Hormuz will definitely be opened,” Muhibbi said.
A U.S. official, meanwhile, told Reuters that Washington expected an agreement soon between Iran and Oman that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz and restore commercial shipping.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said an agreement between Tehran and Muscat over the strategic waterway was viewed as important to a broader peace arrangement.
“There is progress between Oman and Iran on the strait, and we expect a deal soon,” the official told Reuters.
The official said that once an agreement was announced restoring commercial shipping “without impediments,” the U.S. would lift its blockade of Iranian ports.
“As always, U.S. actions will continue to be performance-based and tied to Iran’s implementation of its commitments,” the official said.
The U.S. position contrasts with Muhibbi’s insistence that reopening Hormuz is not tied to Iran-Oman negotiations but instead depends on Washington accepting Tehran’s conditions.
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