Iran Conditions Reopening of Hormuz on US Behavior Change

Iran's Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei said the Strait of Hormuz remains closed and will not reopen until the United States "corrects its behaviour" and fulfills its obligations, according to an interview with state broadcaster IRIB reported by multiple outlets.

"The Strait of Hormuz is closed, despite American claims, and will not open until America corrects its behaviour," Rezaei said. "This time, America must first fulfil its obligations." He alleged that Washington had abandoned military options and was relying on economic pressure, claiming that "the Americans are completely disappointed with the military attacks and think they can help with military actions through economic blockade."

Rezaei further claimed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had assured US President Donald Trump that an economic blockade would force Iran to surrender. "Netanyahu has promised Trump that if he imposes an economic blockade on Iran for six months or two to three months, he will surrender," Rezaei said. He asserted that Iran had learned how to bypass sanctions and continue oil exports, and that "Trump is alone and needs the help of NATO and its allies."

The remarks came amid an escalating standoff that has seen the US announce what Trump described as an "Economic D-Day" campaign against Iran. Trump posted on Truth Social that the effort would be "the most crushing economic operation ever taken" against any country, calling for an end to oil smuggling, swap lines, cash transfers, exchange houses, ship registries, and front companies.

Service Fees and Vessel Penalties

Iran announced on Sunday that vessels from "authorised" countries transiting the Strait of Hormuz will be required to pay service fees. National Security Commission Spokesperson Ebrahim Rezaei said the fees will cover navigation, environmental, fueling under certain conditions, insurance, safety, and other services, as reported by IRIB. The fees will be charged in rials or any other currency desired by Iran, he added. According to Mehr News Agency, Parliament spokesperson Hassan Qashqavi said the article upholds the rights, sovereignty, and national security of littoral states. Ynetnews noted that the measure still requires full parliamentary approval, and exact fee levels have not been published.

Separately, the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) warned that vessels violating Iranian protocols for transit will face restrictions on future passages, including fines, detention, or confiscation. In a post on X, the PGSA urged cargo owners to review its Non-Compliant Vessels list before chartering, noting that vessels cooperating with listed ships via ship-to-ship transfers or transshipment would also be added. Removal from the list requires a formal application with justifications.

Shipping data cited by BOL News showed fewer than 20 commodity vessels crossed the strait over the weekend, with four on Sunday and thirteen on Saturday, while some vessels turned off their tracking devices. US Central Command reported that US forces had redirected 70 commercial vessels, disabled three, and boarded two as of August 23 to ensure compliance with the US blockade.

Competing Claims and Escalating Rhetoric

Trump has repeatedly asserted US control over the waterway, sharing an image on Truth Social depicting the Strait of Hormuz as "NEW US Territory" — a graphic he previously shared on August 18. At a police academy gathering on Long Island on August 14, he said, "Pretty soon I'll be declaring the Strait of Hormuz a territory of the United States." At a Myrtle Beach rally, he called the strait "American territory" and said Iran would never be permitted a nuclear weapon.

Rezaei dismissed the claims, saying, "The gap between America's inability to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and its claim to own it is greater than the 7,000-mile distance between Washington and the Strait itself," adding, "Welcome to the post-American order in the Persian Gulf."

In a separate interview reported by Tasnim, Rezaei accused Trump of undermining global nuclear security, saying "Trump's recklessness, with his attacks on Iran, has increased the desire of people around the world to acquire nuclear weapons." He asserted that Iran has accepted international safeguards, complied with them, and agreed to inspections. The IAEA has previously raised concerns that it could not assure Iran's programme was exclusively peaceful.

Rezaei also warned neighbouring countries against joining the US economic campaign, saying Iran would consider them "enemy" and strike their interests. He threatened that if surrounding countries cooperate, "not a single drop of oil will leave the Persian Gulf or the Strait of Hormuz." He claimed Iran accounts for more than 50% of the Gulf coastline and should therefore manage the strait.

Diplomatic Context and Economic Pressure

Iran and the US signed a memorandum of understanding in June through Pakistani and Qatari mediation, ending hostilities that began in February. Talks have since stalled amid disputes over implementation and navigation arrangements. Washington announced in July that the agreement had ended, before Tehran announced its suspension, according to Middle East Monitor. The June 18 MoU included a 60-day negotiation period that ended this week, with the fate of talks unclear.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Trump's claims over the strait would be corrected "either by circumstances or by Iran." Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Tehran would not reopen the strait until Washington fulfills commitments under a 14-point MoU, including lifting the blockade and releasing frozen assets. He also warned that Trump's isolation efforts could hurt American taxpayers and businesses.

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said more than 15 million barrels of oil and petroleum products moved through the strait with US military support on Tuesday. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is expected to announce new measures on Monday. CNBC TV18 reported that Egyptian and Iraqi diplomatic efforts continue, and that Pakistan's army chief is due in Tehran. President Masoud Pezeshkian has called for diplomatic engagement, while China said it supports a diplomatic end to the war, according to Bloomberg.