Iran’s parliament speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf declared Tuesday that the Strait of Hormuz will “never return” to its pre-war status, signaling a permanent shift in Tehran’s strategic posture over the vital waterway. Speaking to reporters, Ghalibaf said the Islamic Republic is awaiting an official US response to seven conditions it has presented as the basis for any renewed diplomatic engagement. He did not disclose the specifics of the demands, but characterized them as non-negotiable prerequisites for further talks. The statement marks the latest escalation in rhetoric between Washington and Tehran over the strategic chokepoint, through which roughly a fifth of global oil traffic passes.
Ghalibaf, a senior figure in Iran’s conservative establishment, framed the conditions as a test of American seriousness, warning that Tehran would not entertain partial or conditional replies. The US State Department has not publicly commented on the seven-point list, and it remains unclear whether Washington will engage with the framework. Regional analysts note that the remarks could complicate ongoing efforts by Gulf states to de-escalate tensions. The Strait of Hormuz has been a flashpoint for years, with periodic seizures of tankers and military standoffs disrupting shipping. Ghalibaf’s comments suggest Iran intends to leverage its control over the waterway as a bargaining chip, raising fresh uncertainty for global energy markets already jittery over supply risks.
Independent reporting synthesized from primary wires and global correspondents.