Iran Links Hormuz Reopening to US Compensation and Sanctions Relief

Iran says it is close to finalizing a deal with Oman that would set new shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz, though Tehran insists the waterway stays shut until Washington meets a list of separate demands, including compensation and an end to sanctions and military pressure. A US official said earlier that the Iran-Oman agreement could soon pave the way for restoring safe passage through the strait, a route that carried a major share of global oil shipments before Iran closed it following February’s US and Israeli strikes.

Trump Downplays Urgency in Talks

Iran’s foreign minister said no direct talks are underway with Washington, with messages passing through intermediaries instead. President Trump described the US approach as low-key, saying Washington is only loosely negotiating while watching Iran struggle with inflation and limited funds.

Demands Include Compensation and Blockade Removal

Iran’s conditions include US compensation for war damage, an end to threats against Tehran and its regional allies, removal of the naval blockade in the Gulf, and the release of frozen Iranian assets. A US official said the blockade would lift once a shipping deal takes effect.

The UAE said Iran struck one of its state oil tankers. Houthi forces, meanwhile, attacked a Saudi refinery and Yemen’s Mocha port, killing seven people, as Saudi air defenses shot down 11 drones.