Iran sets conditions for reopening Strait of Hormuz as clashes intensify

Tehran maintains that the Strait of Hormuz will remain blocked until Washington ends military operations, lifts petroleum sanctions, and unfreezes Iranian assets. However, an anonymous Iranian official stated through mediators that the strategic waterway could reopen within seven days if the United States reduces military pressure and engages in serious diplomatic talks.

Concurrently, military tensions continue to escalate in the vital shipping corridor. US forces have begun escorting commercial oil tankers under cover of darkness, while Iranian troops responded by deploying rocket-launched sea mines. A recent US air strike on Larak Island underscores the intensifying confrontation, with both nations seeking tactical leverage as diplomatic prospects remain fragile.

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