Iran links reopening of Strait of Hormuz to U.S. concessions on compensation, sanctions, and naval blockade.

Iran has moved toward a final agreement with Oman that would establish new shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran reiterated that the channel will stay closed unless the United States meets a list of demands, including payment of compensation for past attacks, lifting of sanctions, removal of a naval blockade, and release of frozen Iranian assets. An unnamed U.S. official told Reuters the deal would allow safe passage once the conditions are met. The U.S. says it will lift the Gulf blockade only if Iran complies with its commitments, and the moves would be tied to a dependable sequence of actions that could give Tehran control over vessel traffic. Iran and the United States are not in direct talks; the Iranian foreign minister said Tehran would not begin negotiations as long as Washington breaches the interim ceasefire signed in June. Messages between the two sides are being exchanged through intermediaries. The blockade tactic was reimposed by Washington in July after a ceasefire, and Iran said it violated the truce that had already deteriorated. The U.S. launched air strikes on Iran more than five months ago and has said the attacks were intended to curb Iran’s weapons program. Recent regional tensions have included attacks by the Houthi rebels on ships in the Red Sea and a UAE‑owned vessel in the Hormuz area, as well as a brief Houthi blockade of Saudi ports. The broader context involves the armed conflict in Yemen, with both sides reporting casualties after Houthi drone attacks in the port of Mocha. The situation has heightened concerns for maritime security in the Gulf region.