Iran has raised the stakes over the Strait of Hormuz, saying the critical waterway will remain closed until the United States ends the war and unfreezes Iranian funds held overseas.
Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said Tehran has also delivered additional demands to Washington through mediators, although he did not disclose the details.
The comments cast fresh doubt on hopes for a quick agreement to restore shipping through Hormuz. U.S. officials had indicated last week that talks involving Iran and Oman were making progress toward allowing more vessels to transit the strait.
The market reacted immediately. Brent crude rose above $88 a barrel on Tuesday, reflecting renewed concerns over prolonged disruptions to oil flows.
Iran’s latest position suggests Hormuz is no longer being treated simply as a shipping issue. Tehran is linking the reopening of the world’s most important oil chokepoint directly to broader political and military demands.
With tanker traffic still severely restricted, the longer the standoff continues, the greater the risk of tighter global oil supplies and higher prices.
Note by Alessandro Bazzoni