Iran's Foreign Ministry said Monday that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed unless the U.S. naval blockade against Iran is lifted, reflecting Tehran's hardline stance.
Speaking at a press briefing, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei talked about Iran's maritime navigation talks with Oman.
The spokesman clarified that while discussions focus on defining shipping routes, the broader status of the Strait remains tied to external pressure. He said that under the current blockade, a state of war effectively persists.
"The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is contingent upon the removal of conditions imposed on the Islamic Republic of Iran and the entire region due to the military aggression of the United States and the Zionist regime," said Baghaei.
He denied any direct negotiations with the United States, confirming that diplomacy remains limited strictly to third-party message exchanges.
Addressing the recent joint defense agreement between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Türkiye, Baghaei stressed that regional security cannot be "purchased" from abroad. He reaffirmed Iran's position that long-term stability must be locally driven.
Strait of Hormuz to remain closed as long as Iran faces maritime blockade: spokesman
