Iran's demands for reopening the Strait of Hormuz echo what the US already agreed to in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed June 17, with the focus now shifting to using the strait as leverage rather than the end of the war.
Both the MoU and Iran's new demands overlap in terms of lifting blockades and sanctions, paying damages, and an end to the war in Lebanon. However, the new list also includes ending hostilities in Gaza, Yemen, and Iraq.
Esfandyar Batmanghelidj, a founder of the Bourse & Bazaar Foundation think tank, told the New York Times that Iran likely wants to ensure it receives economic relief to enable reconstruction before it gives up any control over the strait, not trusting the US to keep its commitments once it's opened.
“Iranian officials are concerned that if the strait opens, Trump would walk away from this conflict without feeling the need to resolve it. They want to use the strait as a commitment mechanism to ensure Trump implements the various provisions of the MoU,” he told NYT.
The new list also states that US President Donald Trump must "correct his behavior," and states he must never threaten or insult Iran.
IRGC announces six conditions to reopen strait
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr announced Iran's demands in a statement on Friday, laying out six conditions.
According to Zolghadr, the US must end all aggression against Iran, Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq, and Palestine; Never verbally threaten Iran; Lift its naval blockade and withdraw all naval and air forces; Pay for the damages of the wars against Iran; Lift all sanctions against Iran; And release all frozen Iranian assets.
With the exception of payment for damages, all the demands had been agreed to in the 14-point MoU.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed on Sunday that talks with Oman on the Strait of Hormuz were "in final stages," but added that an agreement with Oman does not mean reopening the strait, which remains dependent on fulfilling conditions conveyed through mediators.