Iran denies talks with US, says Hormuz will stay shut until demands are met

What the report says

Iran’s security chief Mohsen Rezaei said Tehran is not holding negotiations with the United States and is waiting for a response to its conditions for peace talks, according to Al Jazeera. He said the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route, would remain closed until Washington meets Iran’s demands. The remarks came as the war involving Iran and Israel continued to draw attention to possible diplomatic efforts.

Al Jazeera reported that Rezaei rejected suggestions of a meeting in Qatar, saying those claims were untrue. He said the U.S. response so far had been inadequate, while Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi separately argued that sanctions, a naval blockade and other conflict-related pressures would need to end before any breakthrough. Araghchi also said reopening Hormuz could happen quickly if Iran’s conditions were accepted.

The comments came amid wider diplomatic activity involving the United States, Qatar and European officials. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington remained open to diplomacy and did not see a need for major combat operations if pressure tactics could achieve the same goals. The article said the fighting has disrupted oil and gas flows and unsettled markets.

At the same time, tensions at sea continued. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said three tankers caught fire after hitting mines in the strait, while UK maritime monitors reported incidents involving vessels in the area. Al Jazeera said this followed numerous attacks on shipping in and around Hormuz, underscoring the risks to regional trade and energy supplies.