Iran sets conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing conflict

On September 20, 2026, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament and lead negotiator, announced that Iran will keep the Strait of Hormuz closed until its specific conditions are met by the United States. Ghalibaf stated that Tehran has officially communicated its terms to the American side, emphasizing that the vital maritime route will remain blocked until the U.S. fulfills its commitments and recognizes what Iran describes as the legitimate rights of the Iranian nation.

Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, which accounted for approximately one-fifth of global hydrocarbon exports before the conflict, has been severely disrupted since the outbreak of hostilities. This blockage follows military strikes launched by the U.S. and Israel against Iran, while the U.S. has simultaneously imposed a blockade on Iranian ports. Ghalibaf declared that Iran intends to balance military force with diplomacy, using the former to repel enemies and the latter to consolidate gains when appropriate.

Currently, the situation remains a critical component of the ongoing Iran-U.S. war. Officials indicate that there is no room for returning to previous negotiation frameworks until these new conditions are satisfied, meaning the strategic waterway will likely remain inaccessible for the foreseeable future.