Iran has presented the United States with a series of sweeping demands as conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, despite ongoing negotiations with Oman aimed at restoring shipping through the critical waterway.

The Iranian demands include an end to U.S. military operations against Tehran and its allies in Lebanon, Gaza, Yemen and Iraq, changes to Washington’s regional policies, the lifting of the maritime blockade and economic sanctions, the withdrawal of American forces from areas surrounding Iran, payment of war reparations and the release of frozen Iranian assets abroad.

The conditions were outlined by senior Iranian national security official Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, who said Tehran would not retreat from its demands either through military pressure or negotiations.

The hardline position comes despite recent optimistic comments from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who indicated that Iran and Oman were moving closer to an understanding over management of the Strait of Hormuz and a new route for commercial shipping.

Araghchi stressed, however, that understandings with Oman would not necessarily result in the immediate reopening of the strait. He linked further progress to what Tehran describes as U.S. violations of a memorandum of understanding reached with Pakistan.

Meanwhile, the United States continues to increase military and economic pressure on Iran. Vice President JD Vance told Fox News that Washington is using diplomatic, economic and military tools to secure the best possible outcome for the United States.

“The Iranians are suffering, and they want this thing to end,” Vance said.

An American official said Friday that progress in negotiations involving Oman could lead to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the resumption of oil exports disrupted by the war that began five months ago.

According to the official, the United States would lift its blockade of Iranian ports once an agreement is announced guaranteeing the reopening of shipping lanes without interference.

The developments come as the Trump administration continues signaling that an agreement over the strategically vital waterway may be approaching, even as major differences between Washington and Tehran remain unresolved.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)