Tehran, Aug. 9: Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has set tough conditions for reopening the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, demanding that the United States end its naval blockade and compensate Iran for damage caused by the war.
Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, outlined six conditions for the US:
• An end to threats against Iran and its “sacred values”
• A permanent halt to military action against Iran and its regional allies
• Withdrawal of US naval and air forces involved in the blockade of Iran
• Compensation for damage caused during the recent conflict
• Removal of US sanctions
• Release of Iranian assets frozen abroad
Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance claimed in an interview with Fox News that Washington had completely destroyed Iran’s nuclear programme and conventional military capabilities.
“We have destroyed their nuclear and military capabilities. If Iran does not want to make long term changes, we will keep up the pressure,” Vance said. He added that the US objective was to ensure the flow of oil and gas from the Middle East and keep energy prices low for Americans.
Amid rising tensions, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan have signed a “joint defence agreement” in Mecca. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the agreement was defensive in nature and that Egypt could join in the future. He also said the pact was not directed against any particular country.
Although the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, tanker tracking data reportedly shows that at least 56 tankers are moving oil in what has been described as a “digital blackout”. The vessels are said to be carrying out covert oil transfers in the Gulf to keep oil exports from Arab countries flowing.
As the war drags on, the US Department of Defense, the Pentagon, has reportedly shifted its strategy towards greater reliance on low cost autonomous weapons. Pentagon officials have rejected media reports suggesting that the US faces shortages of weapons, saying its security stockpiles remain adequate.
People’s News Monitoring Service
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