Iran Says Hormuz Strait Closed Until U.S. Meets Conditions

Iran declared on Sunday that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the United States fulfills its commitments under a June agreement and meets Tehran's specific conditions, deepening a stalemate in the ongoing conflict. The statement from Iran's parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, came as the U.S. issued fresh security warnings across the Middle East, cautioning of potential rapid escalation. Ghalibaf, addressing parliament, said Iran has "very explicitly conveyed its messages and conditions to the opposing side through intermediaries." He stated that the strait, a critical global oil and gas shipping route, would not reopen until U.S. commitments are honored and Iran's legitimate rights are recognized. The conflict began with U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February, prompting Tehran to close the strait and retaliate against regional countries hosting U.S. military assets. Iran's Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei confirmed that Qatar had passed Tehran's conditions to Washington.