Iran links Hormuz reopening to US meeting broader demands

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared on Saturday that now is the best time for a diplomatic agreement with the United States, citing national unity and strength, while his government linked the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to Washington meeting a series of broader demands. The statements came as negotiations with Oman over new shipping arrangements in the strategic waterway neared a conclusion, but officials stressed that any deal on the strait alone would not be sufficient to restore normal traffic.

Speaking at a press conference in Tehran on August 8, Pezeshkian said Iran's position had been strengthened by the recent conflict, which began with U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28. "If there is talk of reaching an agreement, I believe now is the best time for an agreement," he said, arguing that Iran enjoys a high degree of national unity, strength, and cohesion. He reaffirmed his government's commitment to a memorandum of understanding signed with the U.S. in June, which set a 60-day period for negotiations to reach a final deal. Pezeshkian stated that Iran would match its commitments to the level of U.S. compliance and would not be forced to surrender.