AMN / NEWS DESK
Iran has said the Strait of Hormuz will not be reopened until the United States meets seven conditions outlined in a June interim agreement, as Tehran and Washington remain at odds over efforts to end their conflict. Iranian state media today quoted Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf as saying that Tehran’s position on reopening the strategic waterway was completely clear and firm. He said Strait of Hormuz will not be reopened until seven conditions, based on the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding are met. Separately, Iranian Army spokesperson Mohammad Akraminia said Iran would seek to extend the range of its missiles following its recent war with the United States. Speaking to a news agency, he said the conflict had highlighted the need for Iran to develop longer-range missiles and that the country had already begun taking steps in that direction.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei today said Tehran had conveyed its broad positions on the US response through mediators, while some additional points still needed to be communicated to Washington. Baghaei said, Iran was currently focused on the Strait of Hormuz and that restoring security in the strategically important waterway would require clear and concrete steps from the United States. The June memorandum helped to pave the way for a brief ceasefire between the countries, including provisions relating to the Strait of Hormuz as well as Iran’s nuclear programme.