Iran Readies Full List of Conditions for Reopening Hormuz, Top Demand Is Ending Middle East War

Although Iran and Oman have agreed to open a temporary shipping corridor through the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has made clear that an unconditional full reopening is impossible unless the United States fully implements all the demands on its list, including ending the wars in Lebanon, Gaza, and other places.

According to Iran's official Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said Iran and Oman have agreed to open a temporary shipping corridor through the Strait of Hormuz, partly in Iranian waters and partly in Omani waters, with the two countries jointly managing vessel traffic.

However, Rezaei stressed that this is only a "temporary and limited" arrangement, and the future shipping situation in the strait still depends on progress in understanding with the United States.

Rezaei said the Strait of Hormuz can only be fully reopened if the United States implements the conditions put forward by Iran. He said Iran has prepared a list of conditions to submit to the United States, with the top demand being to push for an end to the wars in the Middle East, especially in Lebanon and Gaza.

According to CNBC, the conditions proposed by Rezaei include Israel withdrawing from occupied Lebanese territory, ending the Gaza war, and halting strikes on Syria.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also said on Friday that restarting diplomatic negotiations with the United States is "not impossible." He said on social media that resuming the diplomatic process depends on the United States recognizing that "pressure will not work," while demanding that Washington build trust, communicate respectfully, recognize Iran's rights, and fulfill its commitments.

However, The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter, that the Trump administration currently has no intention of returning to the framework of understanding reached with Iran in June, and instead wants to continue observing whether economic pressure can work. The United States announced on Monday a so-called "Economic D-Day" campaign against Iran and threatened countries that trade with Iran.

Iran: Full Reopening of Strait Requires Multiple Conditions

Rezaei stressed that the Strait of Hormuz issue cannot be separated from the broader regional conflict. Given the "deep distrust" between the two sides, the United States must prove its sincerity in implementing relevant commitments in order to build new trust.

Speaking about the overall regional situation, Rezaei described the Middle East as "an interconnected chain," arguing that deteriorating security in one country raises investment costs elsewhere and harms development prospects.

He also said Iran's relationship with Lebanon is "long-standing and deeply rooted," and Iran will continue to use all its capabilities to support Lebanon.

Regarding the situation in Lebanon, Rezaei said Israel is no longer able to advance toward Beirut and its southern suburbs, and that the losses inflicted on Israel by Hezbollah over the past three to four months, as well as the impact of "Iranian deterrence," have limited Israel's operational capabilities. He said Beirut and its southern suburbs are Iran's "red line," that Iran is watching the situation "extremely seriously," and that he believes Israel will ultimately be forced to withdraw from Lebanese territory it has entered.

Rezaei argued that Lebanon's terrain is difficult to control and occupy, so Israel cannot achieve effective control of the territory and besiege resistance forces. He also cited Gaza as an example, saying that even with a blockade, Israel has not decisively achieved its goals.

Regarding Syria, Rezaei said the Syrian government will not join the conflict in Lebanon. He noted that the Syrian government faces multiple challenges, and Israel's continued strikes on Damascus and surrounding areas have reduced the likelihood of such action. Rezaei said the Syrian government has concluded that "Israel has trampled on all agreements."

US Says Corridor Is Open, but Actual Traffic Remains Low

Currently, there are conflicting accounts of the shipping situation in the Strait of Hormuz, with the US and Iran each presenting their own version.

Earlier this week, Iran and Oman discussed establishing a temporary joint shipping route and clearing mines from the strait. Commander of US Central Command Brad Cooper released a video Thursday evening saying US forces have helped clear mines from the strait.

Cooper said US forces have helped about 1,500 commercial vessels carrying about 750 million barrels of crude oil pass through the Strait of Hormuz over the past few months, and said "the international shipping corridor is now open and momentum is building."

However, shipping data still shows actual traffic far below pre-war levels.

CNBC, citing the latest data from Kpler, said only five ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, compared with about 130 ships per day before the war.