Iran Guards say Hormuz stays closed until US meets demands

The Story in Brief

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Sunday they will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz unless the United States meets a list of demands, including compensation for war damage. The Guards called the strait a 'theatre of war', effectively closing the crucial energy waterway since February. An April ceasefire collapsed after attacks in the strait. A June memorandum outlined peace talks, but Iran now insists on conditions ranging from ending US counterblockades and sanctions to releasing frozen assets. Foreign Minister Araghchi denied direct negotiations, saying only 'messages' are exchanged via intermediaries.

Meanwhile, Iran's Houthi allies declared a parallel blockade on Saudi Red Sea ports and struck a Saudi oil facility. Three civilians and eight military personnel were killed in Houthi strikes on Yemen's Mokha port. Saudi Arabia, seeking stability, signed a joint defence pact with Turkiye and Pakistan, with Egypt expected to join. The agreement is designed to strengthen collective deterrence without naming a specific adversary.