World latest updates: Iran says deal on Strait of Hormuz is close but not enough to open the waterway

US officials have repeatedly said ⁠they would never agree to Iran controlling access to the world's most important trade route for energy supplies.

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Three boys play in the shallow waters of the Strait of Hormuz, as a plume of smoke rises from an explosion in the background, off Bandar Abbas, Iran. (AP Photo)

Iran and Oman appear close to an agreement managing ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Reuters, though Iranian officials insist that alone won’t be enough to fully reopen the waterway, which once carried a fifth of the world’s oil shipments. Even as talks with Oman progress, Tehran has laid out a fresh list of tough conditions for Washington, raising questions over how soon the crucial energy corridor might truly reopen.

What are Iran’s new conditions for the US?

Even as the Oman talks move forward, Iran’s security chief has set out a separate, tougher list of demands aimed squarely at Washington. According to reports, these include:

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Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have made clear these terms stand apart from the Oman negotiations, saying the strait’s reopening depends solely on Washington meeting Iran’s conditions.

Diplomacy hasn’t stopped the violence. The UAE said an Iranian missile struck another tanker in the strait, while a separate vessel caught fire after being hit, according to UK maritime monitors. The continued attacks underline how fragile the situation remains even as negotiators inch toward a deal

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Live Updates
Aug 9, 2026 06:39 AM IST
Middle East Update: What we know so far

Iran sets new conditions: Iran's Supreme National Security Council says the Strait of Hormuz won't reopen until the US "corrects its behaviour," demanding an end to threats, a full military withdrawal, war compensation, and the lifting of sanctions and frozen assets.
UAE tanker attacked: A vessel owned by Abu Dhabi's state oil firm ADNOC was hit by an Iranian missile while crossing the strait. No casualties were reported, though ADNOC says over a dozen of its ships have been attacked since the war began, leaving one crew member dead and 20 injured.
Saudi-Pakistan-Turkiye defence pact: Turkiye's foreign minister says the newly signed mutual defence agreement isn't aimed at any specific country, and that Egypt could join the pact at a later stage.
Yemen and Turkiye developments: Yemen's military struck Houthi rebel positions in response to recent attacks, raising fears of renewed civil war, while Turkiye's parliament advanced a bill to support the Kurdish peace process with the PKK.
Aug 9, 2026 06:00 AM IST
What are Iran’s new conditions for the US?

According to reports, Iran's list of demands includes:

Lifting the US naval blockade of Iranian ports.
Ending all sanctions on Iran.
Paying full war reparations to Iran.
Withdrawing US military forces from the region.
Stopping attacks on Iran's regional allies, including Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis.
Releasing all frozen Iranian assets unconditionally.
A permanent end to threats against Iran.

Aug 9, 2026 05:04 AM IST
Iran-Oman deal on Strait of Hormuz is close but here’s why the strategic waterway won't open just yet

Iran and Oman appear close to a deal governing ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, but Tehran says that alone won't fully reopen the vital waterway.

Here's what Reuters is reporting:

Deal nearing, but conditional: Iran's foreign minister says talks with Oman are close to done, though full reopening still hinges on demands like US compensation.
Attacks continue: The UAE reported an Iranian missile hit another tanker over the weekend, and a separate vessel caught fire after being struck, per UK maritime monitors.
Iran's broader demands: Tehran wants an end to US threats, sanctions relief, and the return of frozen assets before fully lifting restrictions.
US response tied to compliance: A US official said the blockade on Iranian ports would lift only once Iran follows through on its commitments.
Guards distance the talks: Iran's Revolutionary Guards say reopening the strait depends solely on Washington meeting Iran's terms, separate from the Oman negotiations.

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