Tensions in the Middle East have risen following attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran on February 28, while Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran responded with attacks on countries hosting US military assets in the region.
The statement on the future of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important waterways for oil and natural gas shipments, came from Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
Speaking to parliament on Sunday, Ghalibaf said the strait would remain closed until the United States fulfills its commitments under the agreement reached in June and meets Iran’s conditions. Ghalibaf said Iran’s conditions had been clearly conveyed to the other side through mediators, adding that negotiations could not return to their previous state or the strait be reopened until those conditions were met.
The Iranian Parliament speaker said Iran’s legitimate rights must be recognized and the United States must fulfill its commitments for the strait to reopen. Ghalibaf also said the other side’s path of deception and unilateral imposition had been closed off.
June agreement could not be implemented
Washington and Tehran reached an agreement in June that called for military operations to stop and arrangements to be made for reopening the Strait of Hormuz to maritime traffic.
However, disagreements over navigation and security arrangements in the strategic waterway made the agreement impossible to implement.