**US Military Pressure Forces Closure of Strait of Hormuz, Iran Claims**
The Iranian Foreign Ministry has declared that the Strait of Hormuz cannot be reopened to maritime traffic through diplomatic means while the United States continues to exert military pressure on Iran. This statement comes amid escalating tensions following the closure of the strait, a critical waterway for global oil trade.
Iran's decision to close the Strait of Hormuz was a direct response to a military campaign launched by the US and Israel in late February. In retaliation, the US imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports, intensifying the standoff over this vital shipping route, which historically accounts for approximately 25% of the world's seaborne oil trade.
Esmail Baghaei, spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, emphasized that while diplomacy is a key component in safeguarding national interests, the current situation requires more than just diplomatic efforts. "When dealing with a side that insists on the use of force, a maritime blockade is not a diplomatic action that we can lift through diplomacy," he stated during a press briefing.
Baghaei outlined several conditions that Iran has set for the reopening of the strait. These include compensation for damages incurred during the conflict, the lifting of sanctions imposed on Iran, the release of Iranian funds that have been frozen, and a permanent cessation of hostilities directed at Iran and its allies in the region. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has also indicated that the reopening of Hormuz is contingent upon the US fully accepting these conditions.
In response to the ongoing negotiations, US President Donald Trump remarked that the US is in no hurry to finalize an agreement. He described the current negotiations as "low-key," allowing economic pressure to build on Iran. "We are only semi-negotiating with them. We are just watching Iran with its huge inflation and the fact they have no money," Trump noted, likening the situation to a chess game.
The backdrop to these developments includes a 14-point memorandum of understanding that was intended to establish a temporary ceasefire and outline the gradual lifting of the US blockade on Iranian ports, as well as the restoration of commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. However, fighting resumed last month after the two sides failed to reach an agreement on the implementation of the deal.
In parallel, Iran and Oman are engaged in discussions regarding future shipping arrangements through the strait. Nevertheless, Iranian officials have made it clear that any agreement with Oman would not automatically lead to the reopening of the waterway.
The ongoing disruption in traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has had a significant impact on global energy markets. Oil prices surged nearly 3% on Monday as uncertainty surrounding the negotiations persisted. The international benchmark Brent crude reached $85 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) climbed to $80 per barrel.
As the situation continues to evolve, the international community watches closely, aware of the potential implications for global energy supply and geopolitical stability in the region.