Archive · 18 Aug 2026
Hormuz Strait stays shut until U.S. meets Iran deal conditions
Iran and the United States made a promise in June called a memorandum of understanding.
The promise was about a very important waterway called the Strait of Hormuz, where many ships carry oil.
Soon after, the two countries disagreed about who controls the waterway, and the promise fell apart.
Iran says the waterway will stay closed until the U.S. does what was agreed, like lifting sanctions and giving back frozen money.
The American president said the deal is over, but Iran says it is only paused.
On Tuesday, a ship trying to leave the strait was hit by a mystery projectile, and one crew member was hurt.
The ship's engine room was damaged near the coast of Oman, and rescue and investigation efforts began.
Iran has also been talking with Oman, a nearby country, about letting ships pass through safely.
Iran's leaders say that if talking does not work, they will take a much tougher approach.
Iran's top negotiator and parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf says the Strait of Hormuz will remain shut until Washington meets the June interim deal conditions.
The conditions include lifting the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports, lifting oil sanctions, releasing Tehran's frozen assets, and ending threats and military operations on all fronts.
The June 17 memorandum of understanding unravelled over a dispute about control of the strait; Trump declared it 'over' on July 7 and Iran's foreign ministry called it 'suspended' a week later.
A ship leaving the strait early Tuesday was hit by an unidentified projectile, damaging its engine room and causing a crew casualty, with no immediate claim of responsibility.
Iran says talks with Oman on a framework for managing ships passing through the strait are nearing completion, while a senior official warned Tehran could adopt a 'fully offensive' posture if diplomacy fails.
- Who
- Iranian top negotiator and parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf made the statement; U.S. President Donald Trump previously declared the interim deal 'over.'
- What
- Iran says the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed to shipping until the U.S. lifts its blockade of Iranian ports, lifts oil sanctions, releases frozen assets, and ends threats and military operations.
- When
- Comments were published Tuesday, Aug 18; the memorandum of understanding was signed June 17, and a ship was struck by a projectile early Tuesday.
- Where
- The Strait of Hormuz, near the coast of Oman; Iran's statement was reported from Dubai via Iranian state media.
- Why
- The June interim deal unravelled over a dispute about control of the waterway, and Iran is pressing Washington to fulfil its commitments under the agreement.
Iran's Position
U.S. Position
Status of the interim deal
Iran's Position
The deal is only 'suspended' and still binds the United States to its conditions.
U.S. Position
The deal is 'over,' as President Trump declared on July 7.
Reopening the Strait of Hormuz
Iran's Position
The strait stays closed until the U.S. lifts the port blockade, lifts oil sanctions, releases frozen assets, and ends threats and military operations.
U.S. Position
The U.S. has not accepted Iran's terms, and the agreement fell apart over disputes about control of the waterway.
Diplomatic path forward
Iran's Position
Iran is talking with Oman to manage ship passage but would shift to a 'fully offensive' posture if diplomacy fails.
U.S. Position
The U.S. walked away from the agreement in early July, leaving the memorandum's 60-day negotiation commitment in doubt.
- Waterway
- Strait of Hormuz — about a fifth of global oil and LNG flowed through it before the war
- Interim deal
- Memorandum of understanding signed June 17
- U.S. declaration
- President Trump said the deal was 'over' on July 7
- Iran's declaration
- Foreign ministry said the deal was 'suspended' a week later
- Iran's conditions
- Lift port blockade, lift oil sanctions, release frozen assets, end threats and military operations on all fronts
- Final deal talks
- Negotiations committed to within a maximum of 60 days, extendable by mutual consent
- Latest incident
- Unidentified projectile hit a ship leaving the strait, damaging the engine room and causing a crew casualty
- Oman talks
- Iran says framework talks with Oman for ships passing through the strait are nearing completion
