Tehran, 09 August (H.S.): Iran has laid down several conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, saying it will not consider restoring passage through the strategic waterway until the United States changes its policies.

Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said Tehran would not decide to reopen the Strait of Hormuz unless Washington altered its approach.

According to Iranian state media, Zolghadr’s demands include an end to the US naval blockade, the withdrawal of American military forces from the region and a permanent cessation of hostilities.

He also called for compensation for the damage caused during the conflict and the release of Iranian assets frozen or held abroad.

Zolghadr said the demands reflected those of the Iranian people and stressed that the Strait of Hormuz would not be reopened unless the United States changed its conduct.

He did not, however, provide details regarding the resumption of commercial shipping through the waterway or the collection of taxes or other charges on vessels using the strait.

The Strait of Hormuz is a strategically vital maritime passage connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Any prolonged disruption to shipping through the waterway could have significant implications for regional trade and global energy markets.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar