**Iran Sets New Conditions for Strait of Hormuz Reopening Amid Escalating Tensions**
Iran's Supreme National Security Council has announced a series of new demands that the United States must fulfill before the critical Strait of Hormuz can be reopened. This announcement comes in the wake of ongoing attacks on maritime shipping in the region, raising concerns about the stability of a waterway that is vital for global oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade.
In a statement released on Saturday, Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr, the secretary of the council, emphasized that the Strait, which facilitates approximately 25% of the world's seaborne oil and LNG trade, would remain closed until the US alters its current policies. Zolqadr specified that the US must lift its naval blockade on Iranian ports and withdraw its military presence from areas surrounding Iran. Additionally, he called for the cessation of what he termed "unjust and illegal" sanctions, the release of Iranian assets that are currently frozen, and compensation for damages incurred.
Zolqadr further asserted that the US must cease its "war and aggression" against Iran and its allies in neighboring countries, including Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, and Yemen. He stated, “The US must never threaten Iran, in any language, or insult the sacred values of the Iranian nation.”
The timing of these demands coincides with a recent incident in which a missile, reportedly launched by Iran, struck a tanker operated by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC). The United Arab Emirates has accused Iran of engaging in acts of piracy, further escalating tensions in the region. Iran has responded by asserting that all vessels navigating the Strait must adhere to its regulations and avoid what it describes as the "illegal" routes established by the US Navy.
Despite Iran's claims of nearing an agreement with Oman regarding the joint management of the Strait, diplomatic talks with the US have stalled. President Donald Trump recently indicated that he had called off potential military strikes to create space for negotiations. However, reports from multiple US media outlets suggest that the Pentagon is facing a depletion of its missile inventory, and Admiral Brad Cooper, the top US commander in the Middle East, has informed the president that the target options around Hormuz have significantly diminished. Both Trump and his Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, have denied any claims of ammunition shortages.
The backdrop to these developments includes rising fears of broader chaos in the region. Recently, Israel has intensified its military operations against Lebanon, accusing Hezbollah of breaching a ceasefire agreement established two months ago. Concurrently, the Houthis, a pro-Iranian Shia group in Yemen, have launched a significant offensive against Saudi-backed forces and targeted Saudi vessels in the Red Sea.
Public sentiment in the US appears to be against further military engagement with Iran. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll revealed that 50% of Americans believe that US military strikes would exacerbate instability in the Middle East, while only 17% believe that such actions would lead to improvements in the situation.
As tensions continue to rise in the region, the international community watches closely, aware that the Strait of Hormuz remains a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies. The outcome of Iran's demands and the US response could have significant implications for both regional security and the global economy.