Iran Blocks Strait of Hormuz Until US Meets Demands

The Strait of Hormuz crisis has escalated as Iran issued new demands for its reopening. The Supreme National Security Council stated that the strait will not open until the US 'corrects' its behavior, including ending the naval blockade of Iranian ports and withdrawing its military from the area.

The council's secretary, Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, also demanded that the US permanently end the war with Iran and its allies in the region. Additionally, Iran wants compensation for war damage, the lifting of sanctions, and the unconditional release of frozen assets.

The US has signed an interim deal in June, which includes a schedule to end sanctions and plan on compensation as part of the final agreement. However, Iran's oil minister, Abbas Araghchi, stated that they are close to reaching an agreement on navigation but emphasized that other conditions must be met before the strait reopens.