Iran Says Strait of Hormuz Will Remain Closed Until US Meets Commitments

TEHRAN, Aug 18: Iran has vowed to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed until the United States fulfills its commitments under a memorandum of understanding reached between the two countries.

Speaking during a parliamentary session on Tuesday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said Tehran would use both diplomatic and military means to make Washington “understand the consequences of its actions,” according to Iran’s state news agency IRNA.

Qalibaf, who also heads Iran’s negotiating team in talks with the United States, said the Strait would not reopen until Washington lifts what Iran describes as a blockade, releases frozen Iranian assets, removes oil sanctions, ends threats and military operations, and implements other commitments outlined in the memorandum.

“Until the US fulfills its commitments under the memorandum of understanding ... the Strait will not reopen,” Qalibaf said.

He said Iran was pursuing what he called “the power of logic and the logic of power,” with diplomatic and military efforts being coordinated.

According to Qalibaf, the period covered by the memorandum, including the lifting of the US blockade and a ceasefire, had allowed Iran to strengthen its economic resilience and rebuild its defensive capabilities. He warned that Iran was prepared to respond to any further aggression with what he described as an even heavier defeat for its adversaries.

Iran and the United States signed the memorandum in June through mediation by Pakistan and Qatar, bringing an end to hostilities and establishing a 60-day period for negotiations toward a final agreement.

However, talks have since stalled over disagreements concerning the implementation of the memorandum and arrangements for navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important routes for oil and gas shipments.