Strait of Hormuz Will Not Reopen While US Naval Blockade Continues: Iran

August 10, 2026

Tehran: The Strait of Hormuz will not reopen as long as the US naval blockade continues, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said on Monday, setting the end of the blockade as a key condition for reopening the strategically important waterway.

Baqaei made the remarks during a weekly press briefing in Tehran amid continued tensions between Iran and the United States over the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran Links Reopening to End of US Blockade

“As long as the US naval blockade continues, the necessary conditions for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz do not exist,” Baqaei said, according to Iranian media reports.

He said the United States needs to stop what Tehran describes as its “destructive actions” and make changes before the two sides can discuss the next steps.

Iran has maintained that the closure of the waterway is linked to the ongoing US and Israeli military actions against the country.

Tehran Distinguishes Oman Talks From Reopening

Baqaei also addressed talks between Iran and Oman concerning arrangements for shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

He said the discussions between Tehran and Muscat were a bilateral matter involving the two countries.

Iranian officials have separately stressed that any agreement with Oman on a temporary shipping route would not automatically amount to a full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Hormuz Closure Fuels Energy Concerns

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy corridors, linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.

Uncertainty over its reopening has already affected global oil markets. Oil prices rose nearly 2 per cent on Monday after Iran reiterated that the United States must meet conditions before the waterway can reopen.

The latest Iranian statement comes as Tehran and Washington remain at odds over the conditions required to restore normal shipping through the strategically vital waterway.