Iran Blocks Hormuz Deal as IRGC Demands U.S. Concessions

Negotiators from Iran and Oman said on August 6 they had agreed in principle on a plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Ships entering would use a lane nearer the Iranian coast, ships leaving would use one nearer Oman, the waterway would be demined, and a 60-day clock for wider US-Iran negotiations would start. No tolls.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps added demands two days later. It said the strait would remain closed until Washington lifted its naval blockade of Iran and unfroze Iranian assets held abroad. President Masoud Pezeshkian said the US had breached the Hormuz clause in an earlier memorandum of understanding. Iran's negotiators had accepted the framework; the IRGC rejected it.

Oman said the discussions were still positive. Iran said no deal could proceed without prior US action. No direct talks between Washington and Tehran are under way.

Hundreds of ships have been stuck in the Gulf for months. Crew aboard have had limited access to shore leave since the crisis began.