Newsletters
Iran will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz until Washington takes concrete steps to satisfy Tehran's demands, a senior Iranian security official said Thursday, as Qatar's prime minister traveled to Tehran in a bid to ease tensions between the two countries.
Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said the United States must act first. "The US must first take practical measures toward fulfilling Iran's conditions, after which Iran will move to reopen the Strait of Hormuz," he said, according to Iran's semi-official Tasnim News Agency.
Rezaei made the remarks during a meeting in Tehran with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. He said Iran does not trust the United States, accusing Washington of repeatedly abandoning diplomatic commitments and negotiations in the past.
He also warned that any "hostile action" by the US against Iran would trigger retaliation against American military and economic interests "that will be recorded in history."
The Qatari Foreign Ministry said the talks covered regional developments, the fallout from the escalation, and ongoing regional and international efforts to reduce tensions and reinforce security and stability. Sheikh Mohammed emphasized the need for "wisdom and responsibility" in handling the crisis in order to protect the region's security and stability, the ministry said.
The visit was Sheikh Mohammed's first trip to Iran since the conflict began with US and Israeli strikes in late February, and it comes as Doha continues efforts to broker de-escalation between Tehran and Washington.
The US and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding in June following mediation by Pakistan and Qatar, but its implementation has stalled over disagreements concerning navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. About one-fifth of global oil supplies passed through the waterway before the war, underscoring the strait's significance as a chokepoint for international energy trade.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
2 min read
1 min read
