Tehran to set out terms for talks on Strait of Hormuz

By the Editorial Team · Saturday, August 29, 2026

Iran has agreed to develop conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz after mediation efforts led by Qatar amid disrupted maritime traffic caused by tensions with the United States. The reopening depends on the U.S. meeting Iran’s demands, including lifting sanctions, with Tehran also coordinating with Oman to establish a controlled shipping corridor.

Mediators are intensifying efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime passageway that has seen disrupted traffic amid escalating tensions between Iran and the United States. Tehran has agreed to formulate a set of conditions for the resumption of normal shipping operations after a Qatari envoy urged Iran to uphold freedom of navigation through the strategic waterway.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described his recent discussions with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani as "creative," signaling a potential breakthrough in ongoing diplomatic efforts. Araghchi also renewed a call for the United States to cease its military and economic pressure on Iran and to return to negotiation talks. He emphasized on the social media platform X that diplomacy remains viable, contingent on the U.S. acknowledging that pressure tactics are ineffective.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry issued a formal condemnation of new U.S. economic sanctions announced earlier this week, labeling them as "state terrorism." The ministry further urged other countries to reject participation in these sanctions, warning that compliance would amount to "complicity in imposing one state’s unlawful will" on others.

Following the outbreak of conflict six months ago, triggered by actions from the U.S. and Israel, Iran threatened to target any vessel passing through the Strait of Hormuz without its permission. This stance sharply curtailed maritime traffic and contributed to increased oil prices globally. The United States maintains that the strait should remain an open international waterway, accessible to all.

Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, confirmed that Iran is preparing a formal list of conditions to enable the strait’s reopening. He indicated that Iran has reached an agreement with neighboring Oman on establishing a designated shipping corridor. This arrangement would restrict ship movements to a central channel, contingent on the U.S. meeting Iran’s specified terms.

Historically, Iran’s demands have included the lifting of the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports, compensation for damages, and the removal of sanctions. It remains uncertain whether these conditions will be modified to a form acceptable to Washington. The diplomatic situation remains fragile, particularly after former U.S. President Donald Trump declared the truce agreement reached in June void on 8 July and increased efforts to undermine Iran’s economy.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.