Iran Demands US Concessions Before Reopening Strait of Hormuz

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway in the Middle East that many ships use to carry oil and gas between countries.

Iran blocked the strait after the United States and Israel attacked Tehran earlier this year, and some ships have been stopped or hit with missiles.

Now Iran says it will reopen the strait, but only if the United States agrees to six things.

Iran wants the US to stop threatening its top leader, stop fighting Iran and its friends, and pull its soldiers and ships out of the area.

Iran also wants the US to pay for damage caused by the attacks, lift sanctions, and give back money from Iranian accounts that were frozen abroad.

At the same time, Iran is talking with its neighbour Oman about temporary routes so some ships can pass through the waterway again.

Iranian leaders say these temporary routes are not the same as fully reopening the strait.

The United Arab Emirates says Iran fired a missile at one of its oil company's ships, though Iran has not publicly responded.

Elsewhere, Yemen's Houthi rebels attacked an oil refinery in Saudi Arabia, and Saudi Arabia signed a new defence deal with Turkey and Pakistan.

Many countries are waiting to see whether the United States will accept Iran's demands.