Iran Demands US Honor Expired Deal to Reopen Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s parliament speaker and chief nuclear negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, on Monday issued a list of conditions for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. He also urged Washington to implement the remaining commitments it made under a memorandum of understanding that expired yesterday. The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Roughly one-fifth of global oil consumption passes through it, making it a critical chokepoint for world energy supplies. Ghalibaf’s statement marks a sharp escalation in the ongoing standoff between Iran and the United States. He did not specify what new measures Tehran might take if its demands are not met, but he stressed that the United States must now act on the “other terms” of the expired agreement. The memorandum of understanding, signed previously by both sides, outlined a series of mutual commitments. While the full text has not been made public, officials at the time described it as a framework for de-escalation, including steps on sanctions relief and nuclear activity. With the agreement now expired, it remains unclear whether either side will move to renew or renegotiate its terms. Ghalibaf’s demands add fresh uncertainty to an already tense regional situation.