Iran conditions Strait of Hormuz reopening on US concessions despite deal with Oman

Tehran has announced a technical agreement with Oman establishing a safe navigation route through the Strait of Hormuz following three weeks of negotiations, according to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Baghaei. However, Iranian officials maintained that the strategic waterway will not fully reopen until Washington lifts sanctions on Iranian oil, ends port blockades, unfreezes assets, and halts regional military operations.

The standoff follows a severe reduction in maritime traffic over the past six months, dropping from 95 daily transits to roughly 15. Conflict in the area has intensified after American forces conducted strikes on Iran's Larak Island to disrupt mine-laying activities while attempting night-time oil transits. In response, Iranian forces reportedly deployed rocket-launched mines, raising concerns over renewed military escalation in the choke point.

Sources: Expresso, Expresso das Ilhas, Jornal Económico, RTP (Rádio e Televisão de Portugal).