Iran Rejects Hormuz-for-Blockade Deal, Denies Offering US Naval Concessions
Tehran says no new proposal has been sent through Pakistani mediators, insists Washington must end restrictions on Iranian ports and maritime shipping
TEHRAN: Iran has rejected a media report claiming that Tehran offered to reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the lifting of the US naval blockade, describing the allegation as “lies and fantasies,” according to Iran’s Tasnim News Agency.
An informed source familiar with the matter told Tasnim that a report published by Saudi-owned Al Arabiya suggesting Iran had proposed such an arrangement was fabricated. The source stressed that Tehran would not accept any deal linking the status of the Strait of Hormuz to the removal of the US naval blockade.
“Iran fundamentally does not accept any equation of the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the blockade,” the source said, adding that Iran was using its own methods to circumvent the blockade and would ultimately break it.
The source also categorically denied reports that Iran had submitted a fresh proposal to the United States through Pakistani mediators.
According to the source, Iran’s seven-point plan, outlining Tehran’s demands, had already been conveyed to Washington and continued to represent the country’s official position. The source did not provide further details of the plan in the remarks reported by Tasnim.
Tehran maintains that the United States must end its interference with Iranian ports and maritime shipping before the situation in the Strait of Hormuz can be resolved.
“Until all of Iran’s legitimate demands are met, one of which is ending interference with Iran’s ports and maritime shipping, the insecurity imposed by the American enemy in the Strait of Hormuz will not be eliminated,” the source told Tasnim.
The source further emphasized that media speculation and unconfirmed reports should not be treated as substitutes for Iran’s formal position, which Tehran has communicated through mediators.
Iran also accused Washington of being responsible for the insecurity surrounding the strategic waterway, arguing that US military and maritime actions had escalated tensions in the region.
“The whole world knows very well that the cause and instigator of insecurity in the Strait of Hormuz is America’s aggressive and interventionist actions,” the source said, adding that an end to what Tehran described as unlawful US actions was a shared demand among countries in the region and beyond.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints, serving as a major route for international oil and gas shipments. Any disruption to traffic through the narrow waterway can affect global energy markets, shipping costs and regional security.
The latest denial underscores the continuing dispute between Tehran and Washington over maritime access, restrictions on Iranian shipping and the conditions for reducing tensions in the Gulf.
Pakistan has played a role in diplomatic efforts between the two sides. However, the Iranian source’s remarks indicate that Tehran has not communicated any new proposal beyond the seven-point plan already conveyed to the United States.
The claims and allegations in the report were attributed to the Iranian source quoted by Tasnim and have not been independently verified.