Iran Sets Strict Conditions for Reopening Strait of Hormuz

The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, revealed on Saturday his country's conditions for opening the Strait of Hormuz to navigation. Zolghadr affirmed that the Strait will not be opened unless Washington corrects its behavior towards Tehran, stressing that the Council will never back down from its positions, whether in times of war or negotiations. He clarified that "correcting American behavior" requires Washington not to threaten Iran in any language and not to insult the sanctities of its people. It also includes ending aggression and war against Iran and its allies in Lebanon, Palestine, Yemen, and Iraq permanently. Tehran also demands the lifting of the naval blockade and the withdrawal of US military forces, both naval and air, from Iran's vicinity, in addition to full compensation for two aggressive wars imposed on the country. Among other conditions are the lifting of unjust and illegal sanctions imposed on the Iranian people, and the immediate and unconditional release of their frozen and plundered assets. Zolghadr indicated that these demands express the will of the Iranian people, who have chanted them during one hundred and sixty days of continuous protests in squares and streets.