Tehran ties Horumz reopening to US fulfillment of commitments

Kazem Gharibabadi told Iran’s IRNA news agency on Saturday that the understanding with Oman would not automatically take effect, as its implementation depended on commitments that the United States must fulfil.

He said Iran had clearly outlined the measures Washington needed to take, adding that the US must return to its commitments.

Gharibabadi said the new US sanctions on Iran were nothing new for Tehran and that the country was fully prepared to deal with them.

He said if Washington wanted to return to the negotiating table, it should recognise that Iran had not violated the Islamabad understanding. Instead, he accused the US of “betraying” diplomacy and negotiations for the third time in 16 months.

Gharibabadi also said the Strait of Hormuz remained completely closed and that any vessel allowed to pass through it would do so only with Iran’s coordination and permission.

On Aug. 26, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his Omani counterpart, Badr Albusaidi, discussed the management of vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and the establishment of a “temporary joint shipping corridor” during a meeting in Tehran.