'Ball in America's Court': Iran Demands End to US Naval Blockade
Iran says the ball is in America's court, demanding an end to the US naval blockade before securing the Strait of Hormuz.
The geopolitical tension surrounding the Strait of Hormuz has reached a critical juncture as Iran declares that the responsibility for breaking the current diplomatic deadlock rests entirely with Washington. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei has made it clear that no agreement regarding the security or reopening of the strategic waterway will occur until the United States ends its naval blockade.
The Non-Negotiable Demand
Speaking during a press briefing on Monday, Baghaei asserted that Iran's requirements are both "reasonable and logical." He emphasized that the removal of the US naval blockade is the primary prerequisite for any further progress. According to the spokesperson, the sequence of events is fixed: the blockade must end and Iran's legitimate demands must be implemented before any final agreement can be initiated or the Strait of Hormuz can be secured.
"The ball is in America's court; because our demands have been stated very clearly and transparently," Baghaei stated.
Skepticism Over US Diplomacy
The announcement comes amidst discussions regarding a diplomatic letter sent by US Vice President JD Vance to Mohsen Razaei, the Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. However, Tehran appears unimpressed by the gesture, stating that it judges the US government by its "concrete performance" rather than the "tone or rhetorical style" of its correspondence.
Baghaei expressed deep skepticism regarding Washington's commitment to peace, claiming that the US has a history of destroying diplomatic initiatives. He argued that for the past two years, the US has primarily "beaten the drum of war" and disrupted every path opened for diplomacy.
Lessons from the Past
To illustrate this point, the spokesperson referenced the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, noting that the process was unraveled shortly after agreements were reached. He pointedly mentioned that the senior negotiator in that failed process was the same individual who authored the recent letter to Mohsen Razaei. He added that the US President had recently dismissed that specific process as a "waste of time," leading Iran to approach any new diplomatic overtures with "great caution."
The Seven-Step Proposal
Despite the mistrust, Iran has not completely closed the door on negotiations. Baghaei revealed that a diplomatic initiative—originally a seven-step plan discussed during an Iranian delegation's visit to New York—remains on the table. This proposal has since been condensed and, according to the spokesperson, could now be implemented within just two days if the US agrees to its terms.
Tehran views this streamlined framework as a sign of "good faith," suggesting that security could return to the Strait of Hormuz rapidly if Washington fulfills its obligations.
Current Status of Communications
Regarding the official response to Vice President JD Vance's letter, Baghaei stated that the decision rests with the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, who will act as he sees fit.
Meanwhile, Iran has officially conveyed its conditions to the United States through mediators in Doha, Qatar. While tensions remain high, the exchange of messages via Qatari intermediaries continues to be the primary channel for communication between the two adversarial powers.