Iran states Strait of Hormuz will remain closed pending fulfillment of conditions

On September 20, 2026, the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, announced that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until Tehran's specific conditions are met and previous American commitments are honored. The statement, disseminated via the semi-official Fars news agency, signals a hardline stance in Iran's ongoing geopolitical tensions.

According to Ghalibaf, Iran is adopting a dual strategy characterized by the necessity to both fight and negotiate. He stated that the country is prepared to utilize military force to repel perceived enemies, while simultaneously employing diplomacy to solidify its gains on the ground when the timing is appropriate.

This development comes amidst heightened regional instability, with Iranian leadership emphasizing that the current closure is a leverage point meant to compel compliance from the United States regarding existing agreements. No specific timeline for potential reopening or further diplomatic sessions was provided, leaving the maritime passage effectively blocked for the time being as a direct consequence of these unresolved commitments.