Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, the Speaker of Parliament and Iran's chief negotiator, has stated that the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz depends on the fulfillment of seven conditions by Iran. These conditions are based on the temporary agreement made in June in Islamabad and clearly emphasize that returning to normal shipping conditions requires reciprocal commitments.
Iran's Seven Conditions for Reopening the Strait of Hormuz
In this context, the issue of the Strait of Hormuz is not limited to the passage of ships but also includes security, economic issues, sanctions, and the nuclear file. The seven conditions put forward by Iran are related to the 14-point Islamabad agreement, which includes lifting the maritime blockade, resuming the passage of commercial vessels, and ending sanctions.
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Iran had stated during its negotiations on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly that if the conditions are met, the process of restoring normal shipping from the Strait of Hormuz could be completed within 7 days. However, this number does not mean setting a definitive date for reopening but rather a deadline that Iran has set for the return of maritime routes.
Security Considerations and Sanctions
Ismail Baqaei, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized that security and the status of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz are the main topics of the current negotiations. At this stage, Iran is focused on ensuring security in this waterway and is considering any proposals from the United States. Reports regarding proposals for nuclear inspections in exchange for lifting sanctions have also been rejected by Tehran.
This position indicates that the existing disagreements are not limited to the principle of reopening the Strait but that the order of implementing actions is also a key issue in the negotiations. While Washington's response has been conveyed to Iran through Qatari intermediaries, no agreement for the immediate return of shipping has yet been reached.
Currently, the passage of ships in the Strait of Hormuz has not returned to normal, and only limited and occasional traffic exists. However, shipping statistics show that in recent weeks, some vessels have passed through this route, and the traffic of liquefied natural gas carriers has reached its highest level since the war began in February. This situation indicates that the energy market has not completely halted, and part of the region's exports is still flowing.
Ultimately, Tehran's message is that the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is tied to a series of reciprocal commitments. If both parties can agree on the order of implementing commitments, the possibility of returning to normal shipping conditions will again become the focus of negotiations.
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