Iran denies talks with US, says Hormuz will stay shut until demands are met
Iran's security chief Mohsen Rezaei dismissed speculation about negotiations with the United States, saying the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until Washington meets Tehran's seven conditions.
Rezaei's comments on Tuesday came as hopes grow for a diplomatic breakthrough in the US and Israel's war on Iran after President Trump said he saw "positive momentum" toward ending the conflict. Trump held talks with Qatar's Prime Minister at the White House on Monday, also stating that new attacks on Iran were unnecessary.
Speaking to Lebanon's Al Mayadeen TV, Rezaei called claims "about continuing negotiations or holding a meeting in Qatar is a pure lie," suggesting Washington was discussing talks only to ease economic pressure and bring down oil prices.
Their initial response was insufficient and deceptive, and we are still waiting for an explicit and clear response.
Conditions for Peace
The Strait of Hormuz – the global maritime corridor that Iran closed – will not reopen until the US meets Tehran's seven conditions. Iran has not released the full list, but Rezaei and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi have said it includes lifting sanctions, ending the US naval blockade, and stopping fighting on all fronts, particularly Israel's attacks on Lebanon.
Araghchi has indicated Hormuz could be reopened within two days if the demands are met, emphasizing that the conflict "will not be resolved through military means, nor by intensifying sanctions."
The only solution is to adopt a language of respect, engage in diplomacy, and address Iran's demands and conditions – which were outlined in the two-day proposal and remain on the table.
Escalating Tensions
The nine-month war has roiled global markets and disrupted oil supplies, pushing prices worldwide. In Paris, where G7 foreign ministers were meeting, Sheikh Mohammed held talks with Saudi and European diplomats focused on the Iran crisis and its economic fallout.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated Washington was "open to diplomacy" but reiterated that further strikes weren't needed "if we're achieving the same objectives through economic means."
In the Strait of Hormuz, attacks continued with the IRGC claiming three oil tankers caught fire after striking naval mines. The UKMTO reported incidents involving two tankers, with one struck by an unknown projectile. Maritime monitoring firms reported at least 37 attacks on ships in November – the highest monthly total since the war began.
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