Key points

  • According to Al Jazeera, Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that the Strait of Hormuz will never return to its pre-war status.
  • Ghalibaf reported that Iran and Oman reached an understanding to oversee the waterway as part of a seven-point peace proposal.
  • Al Jazeera noted that Tehran is awaiting an official US response delivered through a Qatari mediator.

The Strait of Hormuz will not return to its conditions prior to the US-Israel war on Iran, according to an exclusive interview published by Al Jazeera on Wednesday.

Key Details

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who serves as Iran's parliament speaker and chief negotiator, told Al Jazeera that international laws regarding free waters do not apply to the strait. According to Ghalibaf, the waterway's regulations are governed by the littoral states bordering it, and Tehran has reached an understanding with Oman to oversee the critical passage.

The chief negotiator stated that Iran delivered a seven-point proposal to the United States via a Qatari mediator. Al Jazeera reported that the conditions for peace talks include lifting the US-imposed naval blockade and sanctions, releasing frozen Iranian funds, ending fighting across all fronts, and issuing an explicit announcement concluding the war. Ghalibaf noted these terms were part of the Islamabad memorandum of understanding signed in June.

Additionally, Ghalibaf warned against new US attacks, cautioning that US President Donald Trump would face defeat and political pressure from the incoming Congress in January. He also mentioned that US officials had asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to mediate direct negotiations during a visit to Moscow.

Context and Impact

Iran is seeking to move past a state of no war and no peace, emphasising the need for a sustainable deterrent capability, according to Al Jazeera. Ghalibaf cited a lack of trust in the United States as the primary barrier to reaching an agreement. Regarding the ongoing conflict in Yemen, the Iranian negotiator stated that no one should interfere, though Tehran would offer assistance if requested by both the Yemeni government and Saudi Arabia.

Summary and What Next

Tehran is currently waiting for an official response from Washington to its peace conditions before entering further negotiations, Al Jazeera reported. The implementation of the agreed-upon terms remains necessary to move forward, while the ultimate timeline for an official US reply has not been specified.