Iran’s Ground Forces Commander Issues Warning to US

In a new development, Iran’s ground forces commander has issued a strong warning to the United States amid rising regional tensions.

Iran’s ground forces commander has issued a strong warning to the United States amid rising regional tensions.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards explicitly stated on Sunday that they would not reopen the Strait of Hormuz until the United States complied with a list of demands, including paying compensation for war damage. The Guards declared their strategy is to maintain the closure "until the enemy accepts all our conditions," further stating that the strait is "now actually a theatre of war for us and not just a waterway."

This declaration follows Iran's effective blockade of the crucial energy conduit since late February, after reported attacks by the United States and Israel. Iran has sought to charge tolls for passage and has allegedly struck ships attempting to circumvent its preferred route. The attacks in the waterway led to the collapse of an April ceasefire, prompting mediators to urge both sides to return to the terms of a subsequent June memorandum that had outlined a path for peace talks.

Iran’s security chief Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr had previously laid out conditions for reopening the strait, including an end to "war and aggression against Iran and its allies," the lifting of a US counterblockade of Iranian ports, the end of sanctions, the release of frozen assets, and compensation for wartime damage. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi denied that Iran was negotiating directly with the US, stating they were merely "exchanging messages" via intermediaries. Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates accused Iran of striking a tanker belonging to its national oil company as it transited the strait, and the UK Maritime Trade Operations reported a ship hit by a projectile off Oman.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards stated on Sunday, August 9, 2026, that they would not reopen the Strait of Hormuz until the United States complied with a list of demands, including compensation for war damage. The Guards emphasized that their strategy is to maintain the closure "until the enemy accepts all our conditions," adding that the strait is now considered "a theatre of war" for them, not just a waterway. Iran has maintained an effective blockade of the crucial energy conduit since the United States and Israel reportedly attacked it in late February, seeking to charge tolls for passage and allegedly striking ships attempting to circumvent its preferred route. Attacks in the waterway led to the collapse of an April ceasefire, with mediators urging both sides to return to the terms of a subsequent June memorandum for peace talks.

Iran stated on Sunday, August 9, 2026, that a deal with Oman defining new shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz was in its final stages, but reiterated that the strait would only reopen once the United States met other conditions. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed the deal is in its “final stages” but emphasized that full reopening depends on preconditions, including compensation for violations of an agreement reached with the United States in June. He added that Iran and the US are not engaged in direct talks, but messages are being exchanged via intermediaries. A US official had told Reuters on Friday that an agreement between Iran and Oman was close. Iran seeks US compensation and an end to sanctions, following US airstrikes in late February, a ceasefire in June, and a reimposed blockade on Iranian shipping in July, which Tehran considers a violation of the truce.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on August 9, 2026, that discussions with Oman regarding the transit and administration of the Strait of Hormuz were nearing completion. However, he emphasized that the full reopening of the strait would depend on additional preconditions, including compensation for violations of an agreement reached with the United States in June.

Iran has presented six conditions to the United States for the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. These conditions, issued by National Security Council Secretary Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr on August 9, 2026, include: never threatening Iran in any language, ensuring no insult to the nation, permanently ending the imposed war on Iran and its allies, ending the naval blockade, removing US forces from around Iran, providing full compensation for damages without reduction, lifting unjust and illegal sanctions, and unconditionally releasing stolen and frozen Iranian assets. Zolghadr stated that if the US does not change its behavior, the Strait of Hormuz will not reopen, emphasizing that Iran will not back down from its intentions whether there is war or talks. Brigadier General Hossein Mohebi, spokesperson for Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps, reiterated that reopening the Strait depends on the US accepting all of Iran's conditions, clarifying that this is unrelated to the ongoing Iran-Oman talks.

Iran has issued a statement regarding ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Additionally, the Strait of Hormuz has been identified as a key issue in ongoing US-Iran talks, a detail revealed by JD Vance.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has stated that now is the "best time" for an agreement regarding the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi indicated that Iran and Oman are "very close" to an agreement on a new shipping route, but stressed that the full reopening of the strait depends on additional conditions, including US compensation to Iran. Tehran had previously claimed that an agreement with Oman alone would not be sufficient to reopen the waterway. Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates has accused Iran of targeting a tanker belonging to its state-owned oil company in the strait. Oman described its negotiations with Iran as "positive and constructive" but cautioned against repeated attacks on shipping. Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, Secretary of Iran’s top national security body, listed further demands, including an end to US threats and aggression against Iran and its allies, the lifting of blockades and sanctions, and the freeing of Iranian assets. Iran has reportedly imposed an effective blockade on the strait, seeking to charge users for passage and allegedly attacking ships attempting to circumvent its preferred route, a move vehemently opposed by the US.

New demands from Iran are reportedly escalating tensions and casting doubt on a potential peace deal regarding maritime traffic in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

Reports indicate that Iran has now set six conditions for the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, an increase from the previously reported three conditions.

Iran has reportedly put forward three specific conditions for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, as negotiations with Oman continue regarding maritime traffic in the strategic waterway.

Iran is now reportedly demanding that United States warships be kept out of the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, the US is signaling a possible new deal between Iran and Oman regarding the strategic waterway, with reports suggesting an agreement is nearing.

Iran and Oman are reportedly in negotiations regarding maritime traffic in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, with discussions including a proposal to bar United States warships from the waterway.

According to available information, US officials have conveyed to mediators that any Iranian restrictions on maritime passage through the strait would be unacceptable. The talks also include a proposal for a temporary two-way traffic system, with one route for passage near Iran and another for departure near Oman.

Reports suggest that the final decision on any action within the strait rests with Iran's military command, rather than the civilian government.

Pakistan News will update this story as more confirmed details become available.

Iran said on Saturday it is close to reaching a deal with Oman on control of the Strait of Hormuz, but that fully reopening the strategic waterway would depend on other conditions, including compensation from the United States.

The announcement comes amid ongoing tensions and attacks on shipping. The United Arab Emirates reported on Saturday that Iran had attacked a carrier affiliated with its state oil company with a missile as it transited the strait. No injuries were reported.

A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity on Friday, stated that Washington anticipated an agreement soon between Iran and Oman, which would allow normal oil traffic to resume. An agreement is seen as a key step toward a wider resolution to the conflict that began with US and Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi confirmed that Iran and Oman were “very close” to an agreement on a new shipping route. He added that the previous traffic separation scheme was no longer acceptable to Tehran and that a temporary route was being discussed with Oman while technical and legal issues were resolved.

In response to the US attacks, Iran has targeted US bases in Gulf states and Jordan, as well as shipping in the narrow strait, which carried a fifth of the world’s oil and gas shipments before the conflict.

Pakistan News will update this story as more confirmed details become available.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has accused Iran of targeting a tanker belonging to the state-owned Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) while it was transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The UAE foreign ministry condemned this as a "hostile Iranian attack." This accusation comes as Iran and Oman are reportedly nearing an interim agreement on the management of the Strait of Hormuz. However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that while talks with Oman are "approaching the final stages," this is "not a sign of the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz," which is subject to other conditions and compensation for a US memorandum of understanding violation. The Revolutionary Guards also affirmed that the Strait's opening has its own mechanism separate from the Iran-Oman negotiations. Meanwhile, US officials have indicated a willingness to lift the blockade on Iranian ports and maritime sanctions following the expected agreement between Iran and Oman regarding the Strait of Hormuz. The proposed interim agreement includes provisions for inbound vessels to use the northern passage through Iranian waters and outbound vessels to use the southern passage through Omani waters, with coordination with Iran. It also suggests a 60-day period without tolls and a plan to clear mines from the middle passage.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has issued a key statement regarding the potential reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.