Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf says Tehran will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz until its conditions are met, including recognition of what he described as the legitimate rights of the Iranian people.
Ghalibaf made the comments Sunday in a statement published by semi-official Fars News Agency, saying Iran had communicated its demands to the other side through mediators.
He said Iran was prepared to both fight and negotiate, but ruled out a return to previous negotiations or reopening the strategic waterway until the United States fulfils its commitments.
Ghalibaf said Iran had demonstrated during the past seven months that it was capable of responding to what he described as aggression.
He also said the United States' previous order in West Asia had collapsed and called on regional Islamic countries to establish what he described as a new regional order.
Meanwhile, the United States has advised its citizens in the Middle East to exercise heightened vigilance, citing ongoing hostilities involving Iran-backed Houthi forces and Saudi Arabia.
The U.S. State Department warned that the conflict could escalate rapidly and advised Americans outside the Middle East to seriously reconsider travel to and through the region.
The alert also warned of possible flight cancellations, airspace closures and other travel disruptions.
Comments
Add a comment