Iran is preparing a formal list of conditions to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime corridor for global energy supplies, amid escalating diplomatic efforts by regional mediators. Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, announced that Tehran was asked by mediating nations—including Qatar, Oman, and Pakistan—to specify its demands, chief among them being an end to the ongoing regional war.
The announcement follows intensive diplomatic visits to Tehran, where officials discussed potential short-term solutions. According to Qatar’s Foreign Ministry, talks centered on creating a temporary shipping corridor through the strait alongside a joint mine-clearing project. Rezaei noted that Iran and Oman have already agreed on a framework for a passage routed through Omani and Iranian waters, which ships could use if Washington fulfills Tehran's requirements.
However, Iran's military leadership maintains a strict stance on any resolution. A spokesperson for Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) emphasized that the shipping lane will remain restricted unless the United States lifts its blockade of Iranian ports, removes economic sanctions, and pays compensation for war damages.
The strategic waterway was effectively shut down by Iran following the outbreak of a US-Israel bombing campaign in late February. Although a temporary Memorandum of Understanding briefly opened a passage earlier in the summer, the agreement collapsed amid mutual accusations of non-compliance before officially expiring on August 17.
In contrast to Tehran's position, US President Donald Trump asserted that the waterway is already open, claiming that American naval forces have cleared mines and that oil shipments continue to move through the strait daily. Trump indicated he feels no immediate pressure to re-engage in formal negotiations with Tehran, while administration officials confirmed that the US port blockade remains active with no bilateral talks currently scheduled.