Iran says US must end Naval blockade before Hormuz reopens

Iran has declared that the full reopening of the strategic Strait of Hormuz will depend on the United States ending what it described as a naval blockade in the Gulf, despite reaching an agreement with Oman on a shipping route through the waterway.

The latest position by Tehran signals that tensions over one of the world’s most important oil transit routes remain unresolved, raising fresh concerns over global energy supplies and maritime security.

Iranian authorities said while discussions with Oman had resulted in an agreed navigation route through the Strait, the passage could not fully resume unless Washington withdrew its naval restrictions in the region.

According to Tehran, the continued presence of US naval forces and what it termed a blockade remain the major obstacles to restoring normal commercial shipping through the strategic waterway.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime corridor linking the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. It serves as the main export route for crude oil and liquefied natural gas from major producers, including Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Iran.

Analysts say any disruption to shipping through the strait could significantly affect global oil markets, as roughly one-fifth of the world’s petroleum supplies pass through the narrow channel.

Iran’s latest remarks come amid heightened geopolitical tensions in the Gulf, where repeated confrontations involving Iranian and US forces have heightened fears of a broader regional conflict.

Although Oman has traditionally played the role of a neutral mediator between Tehran and Washington, Iran insists that diplomatic understandings with Muscat alone are insufficient to restore unrestricted navigation.

Tehran maintained that the removal of the US naval presence it considers a blockade remains a prerequisite for the complete reopening of the waterway.

The United States has consistently maintained that its naval deployment in the Gulf is intended to safeguard freedom of navigation, protect international shipping and ensure the security of maritime trade through the Strait of Hormuz.

The renewed standoff comes as global markets continue to monitor developments in the Gulf, with energy traders warning that any prolonged restrictions on shipping through the strait could trigger higher crude oil prices and disrupt international supply chains.