SRINAGAR: Iran has said the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz will not be reopened until the United States changes its approach towards Tehran, setting out a series of demands that could further complicate efforts to restore shipping through the key waterway.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said Washington must end its military campaign against Iran and its regional allies, lift the naval blockade of Iranian ports and withdraw its forces from the region.
Tehran has also demanded compensation for war damage, the lifting of sanctions and the unconditional release of Iranian assets frozen abroad.
The demands come as negotiations continue over arrangements for reopening the strait, through which a major share of global oil and gas supplies normally passes.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Saturday that Tehran was close to reaching an agreement with Oman on navigation through the waterway, including the identification of a designated transit route.
However, he said reopening the strait would depend on the fulfilment of other conditions, accusing the United States of violating an interim agreement reached in June.
Oman, which has been mediating between Iran and the United States, said talks were continuing in a “positive and constructive atmosphere” and condemned attacks on commercial vessels.
### UAE vessel targeted
Tensions around shipping in the strait escalated after the United Arab Emirates said an oil and gas vessel owned by Abu Dhabi’s state-run ADNOC was targeted by an Iranian missile while transiting the waterway.
ADNOC said there were no casualties in the latest incident, but claimed more than a dozen of its vessels had been targeted by missiles and drones since the United States and Israel began their war against Iran in February.
The company said one crew member had been killed and 20 others injured in the attacks.
The exact location of the latest incident and the extent of damage to the vessel were not immediately disclosed.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Centre separately reported that a vessel east of Khasab in Oman had been struck by a projectile, causing a fire that was later extinguished. The vessel and its crew were reported safe.
The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, is one of the world’s most important energy corridors. Any prolonged disruption to shipping through the waterway could have wider implications for global oil and gas supplies.
Ship traffic through the strait has remained significantly lower amid the ongoing tensions.
