Iran Vows to Keep Strait of Hormuz Closed Until US Meets Interim Deal Terms
Iran's top negotiator says the Strait of Hormuz will stay closed until the US lifts sanctions, ends threats, and releases frozen assets per their June agreement.
By John Mtongoi Newsroom
August 19, 2026
2 min read
The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the United States fulfills the conditions of an interim agreement reached with Iran in June, Iran's chief negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf announced on Tuesday.
Qalibaf outlined the key requirements for reopening the vital waterway, which include:
- The lifting of the US blockade on Iranian ports
- Removal of oil sanctions imposed on Iran
- The release of Iranian frozen assets held abroad
- An end to threats and military operations against Iran on all fronts
The memorandum of understanding (MoU), signed on June 17, aimed to ease tensions but quickly fell apart following disagreements over control of the Strait of Hormuz. This narrow channel is a critical global energy transit route, carrying about a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas before the conflict.
US President Donald Trump declared the deal "over" on July 7, and Iran's foreign ministry suspended the agreement a week later. The MoU had included a commitment to negotiate a final deal within 60 days, extendable by mutual consent, covering broader issues such as Iran's nuclear program.
With diplomatic efforts stalling, a senior Iranian official recently indicated that Tehran will adopt a "fully offensive" stance moving forward.
