Iran has rejected Washington’s response to its seven conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, signalling that key differences between the two sides remain unresolved. The standoff over the strategic waterway, crucial to global energy shipments, threatens to prolong one of the conflict’s most significant flashpoints and test the United States’ willingness to reach a deal.
Mohsen Rezaei, Iran’s security chief and secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, described the US response as “insufficient”, Iranian state media reported on Sunday. He said Washington must clarify its position on issues that remain unclear to Tehran before negotiations can make any headway.
US President Donald Trump has indicated that the conflict could end soon, while warning that Iran might escalate tensions ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.
“We presented seven conditions to the Americans and clearly stated that the Strait of Hormuz would not be opened to them, and no negotiations would take place, until these conditions are met,” Rezaei said. He added that Iran was “no longer in the process of responding to the Americans”. “In their response, they have accepted some of our conditions, while others remain unclear,” he said. Iranian officials have said the proposal aims to rebuild trust and revive an expanded version of an interim memorandum of understanding reached in June. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Washington’s proposals largely reiterated its earlier positions, particularly on the nuclear issue. He said Iran had not held any discussions with Washington on its nuclear programme.
Washington conveyed its response through Qatari intermediaries, who have been exchanging messages between the two sides as part of efforts to end the conflict and resume shipping through the strait. The agreement helped bring about a brief ceasefire and included provisions related to both the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear programme. Tehran has rejected suggestions that it is prepared to discuss its nuclear programme as part of ongoing efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. He stressed that Iran’s immediate priority was to address the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and restore security in the waterway. Baghaei also denied reports that Tehran had offered to permit inspections by the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog in return for sanctions relief. The nuclear issue continues to be a key point of contention between the two countries. Washington has long pushed for restrictions on Iran’s nuclear programme, while Tehran has opposed demands it views as unacceptable.
Speaking at a campaign rally in Clarksville, Tennessee, on Saturday, Trump said Tehran appeared to be softening its position but could take further action before the polls in an attempt to damage his political standing.
