'Era of Wasting Time Over': Ghalibaf Vows Hormuz Closure Until US Meets Demands
Iran's Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf warns the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the US fulfills seven conditions under the June MoU.
In a major escalation of diplomatic and maritime tensions, Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has declared that the strategic Strait of Hormuz will remain closed to international traffic until the United States satisfies specific requirements. Speaking before the Iranian Parliament, Ghalibaf made it clear that Tehran is no longer willing to entertain unilateral demands from Washington.
The Seven Conditions for Reopening
Ghalibaf emphasized that the reopening of this critical global waterway is strictly tied to the fulfillment of seven specific conditions. These conditions are rooted in the 14-point Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) established in June. According to the Speaker, the era where the United States could dictate terms or waste time through mediation without concessions is officially over.
"The Americans, who say otherwise in the media, have recently put forward some proposals through a mediator," Ghalibaf noted, adding that the United States appears to be growing desperate in the face of what he described as the "resistance" of the Iranian nation.
The Collapse of the June MoU
The current standoff follows the breakdown of a significant diplomatic framework intended to de-escalate hostilities and pave the way for negotiations regarding Iran's nuclear program. The June MoU had established a roadmap designed to reach a final agreement within a 60-day window. Key components of that agreement included:
- High-Level Committee: The creation of a body to provide political oversight of the mediation process.
- Chief Negotiators: Regular reporting from both sides to ensure transparency.
- Specialized Working Groups: Focused teams to tackle nuclear issues, sanctions, and monitoring mechanisms.
- Dispute Resolution: A formal mechanism to support the implementation of the agreement.
However, the collapse of this agreement in July triggered a violent cycle of retaliation in West Asia. The breakdown led to direct military strikes by the United States against Iranian military and civilian assets, which were met with retaliatory strikes from Iran targeting American bases across the Gulf.
A Definite Stance from Tehran
Ghalibaf's remarks signal a hardening of Iran's position as the conflict in the region continues to simmer. By linking the accessibility of the Strait of Hormuz—one of the world's most vital oil transit points—to the implementation of the Islamabad Memorandum, Tehran is utilizing its most significant strategic leverage to force Washington back to the negotiating table on Iranian terms.
The Speaker concluded by reiterating that the position of the Islamic Republic of Iran remains "completely clear and definite," leaving little room for further diplomatic maneuvering unless the specified conditions are met.