Iran has signalled that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed unless the United States meets a set of six conditions covering military operations, sanctions, compensation and access to Iranian funds, casting fresh doubt over prospects for a quick restoration of normal shipping through the key oil route.
The conditions were outlined by Mohammad Baqer Zolghadr, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, in a statement that said Tehran expected Washington to end what it described as hostile actions before the waterway could reopen.
Iran's demands include an end to US threats and military operations, a permanent cessation of the war, the withdrawal of American naval and air forces from areas around Iran, compensation for damage caused by the conflict, the removal of sanctions and the release of frozen Iranian assets.
The position suggests that Tehran does not regard the draft agreement that has been discussed between the United States and Iran as sufficient to secure the reopening of Hormuz. Any eventual arrangement would also require approval from Iran's Supreme National Security Council.
Shipping activity through the waterway remains below previous levels. Data showed that only 33 vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz from Monday through Thursday, compared with 50 during the corresponding period a week earlier.
Crude tanker movements have also remained limited, with only six crude oil tankers reportedly exiting the strait so far this week. The reduced traffic has persisted despite expectations that Iran and Oman could reach an arrangement for managing a shipping corridor.
Additional uncertainty surrounds Iran's position on vessels linked to the United States and Israel. Tehran has considered imposing restrictions on such ships, while earlier proposals for transit fees have raised further concerns among shipping operators.
The European Union has accused Iran's IRGC Navy of operating a screening and toll system for vessels passing through the strait, adding to concerns over the conditions facing commercial shipping.
Washington has offered a more positive assessment of the situation. US Vice President JD Vance said the administration expects oil and gas flows from the Gulf to eventually return to levels seen before the conflict.
Vance also said Iran had informed Washington that it did not intend to impose transit tolls, although he acknowledged that the United States remains cautious about relying on Tehran's assurances.
The conflicting positions leave uncertainty over the prospects for a return to normal shipping through Hormuz, one of the world's most important energy routes.
While Washington has focused on the possibility of restoring Gulf energy flows to pre-war levels, Iran's latest position links reopening the strait to broad political, military and financial concessions.
The outcome of the negotiations could therefore determine not only the future of shipping through Hormuz but also the extent to which disruptions to global oil and gas supplies persist.