Iran Demands Sanctions Lift, Troop Withdrawal Before Reopening Critical Oil Waterway
Iran's top security official has released a list of demands that must be met before the Strait of Hormuz can reopen to global shipping. The waterway, which carries roughly a fifth of the world's oil, has been closed since February due to tensions between Iran and the US.
The demands include lifting the US naval blockade and sanctions, withdrawing US military forces from around Iran, paying war reparations, releasing Iran's frozen financial assets, and ending attacks on Iranian regional allies and threats against the country itself.
Iranian national security official Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr made the announcement in a statement carried by Iranian state media. He stated that the US must meet these demands before the Strait of Hormuz can be reopened.