Iran speaker says Hormuz Strait to remain closed until conditions are met

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Aug. 18 that Iran will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz until the U.S. unfreezes Iranian assets, lifts oil sanctions, halts military threats and operations across all fronts, and other conditions in a memorandum of understanding are met. Ghalibaf said the memorandum created an opportunity through the easing of the blockade and a ceasefire to strengthen Iran’s economic resilience and rebuild its defense capabilities. He also said Iran is prepared to respond more forcefully to any provocation by hostile forces.