Hormuz will reopen only after...: Iran President Pezeshkian lays down terms for US

The war in the Middle East has turned the Strait of Hormuz into a high-stakes pressure point, after Iran shut the strategic waterway following US-Israeli strikes and Washington imposed its own blockade. Iran has now hinged on the possibility of reopening the waterway based on Washington's action. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran is willing to work towards an internationally recognised maritime framework if the US ends its blockade and other activities against Iran.

Speaking in an exclusive interview, Pezeshkian said Iran was negotiating with Oman over a specific maritime framework for the strategic waterway. Asked about the status of the waterway, Pezeshkian defended Iran's



actions, saying Tehran was responding to attacks and pressure from the United States and its allies.

"You see, neither Hezbollah, nor us, I don't think initiated that. All of these groups are defending themselves," Pezeshkian said, arguing that Iran had been forced to respond to attacks against it. He questioned why the US was blocking regional routes while simultaneously bringing weapons into the region. "On what basis are the Americans attacking our region, and blocking our routes, and we should do nothing?" he asked.

"If we are alive, we have to respond. We will not respond when we are dead. So we are alive, and we will respond," Pezeshkian said.