Iran does not intend to be the first to resume ship transits through the Strait of Hormuz until the United States fulfills its commitments, said Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran's deputy foreign minister for legal and international affairs.
According to Gharibabadi, Tehran has already reached an agreement with Oman on the procedure for ships passing through the strait, but its implementation has not yet begun and is directly tied to the fulfillment of obligations by the American side.
"Once the conditions and obligations placed on America are met, the Islamic Republic of Iran will likewise be ready to take its steps regarding the Strait of Hormuz," Gharibabadi said, adding that if the Americans do nothing, Iran will not rush to open the strait and will continue to take defensive measures.
The statement once again shows how Tehran is using the strategic significance of the Strait of Hormuz as a lever of pressure against the United States. In effect, Iran is signaling that without concrete concessions from Washington, there will be no significant changes in the region.
Notably, Gharibabadi drew on the agreements reached with Oman to try to show that Iran is not isolated and has allies with whom it can coordinate its moves. However, the question remains open whether the American side is ready to meet Tehran's conditions, or whether this deadlock will continue for a long time, keeping tensions high in the Strait of Hormuz.
