Iran Threatens to Keep Hormuz Shut Until U.S. Lifts Sanctions

The 60-day deadline for the U.S. and Iran to end their war expired on Monday, with Tehran vowing to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed until Washington lifts sanctions and ends its naval blockade. The deadline was set under a Memorandum of Understanding signed by President Trump in June. That agreement outlined a two-month window for both sides to reach a permanent peace deal. Iran’s latest statement signals no breakthrough. Instead, it doubles down on the key demand: full removal of U.S. sanctions and a halt to the blockade that has choked Iranian oil exports. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint. Roughly 20% of the world’s oil passes through it daily, making any sustained closure a direct threat to global energy supplies. So far, Washington has not responded publicly to Iran’s position. But with the deadline now passed, the question is whether the U.S. will move to enforce the memorandum or escalate pressure. For now, the standoff remains. Iran says it will not reopen the strait until its conditions are met—and the clock for a diplomatic solution has already run out.