A senior Iranian official told Reuters that Iran's key priorities in ongoing indirect talks with the United States are the permanent end to hostilities and the lifting of the US naval blockade. While many differences remain between Tehran and Washington, diplomacy continues.

These priorities align with previously stated hardline preconditions for restoring navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. The latest disclosure from Iranian state media specifies three non-negotiable prerequisites for restoring navigation through the strategic waterway:

• Immediate lifting of the naval blockade
• Immediate release of frozen Iranian assets
• End of war across all "resistance" fronts

Security Chief Mohsen Rezaei's statement reinforces these parameters, explicitly linking the reopening of the strait and the initiation of any diplomatic talks to the fulfillment of these demands. The new data confirms that while talks are occurring, the core Iranian position remains tied to these specific security and economic concessions.

Contradiction in diplomatic signals

The clarification follows a period of conflicting diplomatic signals. Earlier reports attributed to a senior Iranian official via Reuters suggested Iran would reopen the strait within 7 days if Washington lifted its port blockade and eased military pressure. However, domestic sources via Fars News Agency subsequently denied any such deal existed.

The current state media statement and Rezaei's comments bridge this gap by confirming that while no informal deal was acknowledged, specific conditions remain central to Tehran's position. The inclusion of frozen assets and the cessation of hostilities in "resistance" fronts expands the scope beyond the previously cited military and port blockade issues.

Strategic context

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints. The evolution from a denied timeline-based proposal to a firm list of preconditions, now backed by the Security Chief, highlights the volatility of diplomatic communications surrounding the region. While initial reports suggested a tangible path to de-escalation tied to US actions, the current stance underscores that no agreement has been formally acknowledged without these broader geopolitical concessions.

Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) condemned President Donald Trump’s recent remarks regarding Iran, labeling the suggestion to "annihilate" the Islamic Republic as a war crime and barbarism. Sanders asserted that such actions are illegal and unconstitutional, demanding immediate congressional intervention to end the conflict.

Sanders condemns Trump's UN speech

On Tuesday, Sanders posted on X, referencing a clip from Trump’s address at the United Nations General Assembly. In the speech, Trump weighed pursuing a peace deal against destroying Iran. Sanders stated, "No, Mr. President. We should not 'annihilate' the people of Iran. That is a war crime. That is barbarism." He emphasized that the United States must never be associated with such actions.

Sanders further argued that Trump’s war in Iran is illegal and unconstitutional, urging Congress to end it now. The Senator’s comments follow Trump’s public contemplation of drastic measures against Tehran, including economic collapse or leadership elimination if no deal is reached.

Democratic leaders criticize rhetoric

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) criticized Trump for portraying himself as a peacemaker while threatening to annihilate an entire country. Schumer described the remarks as "sickening" and noted the contradiction in Trump's self-image as a Nobel Peace Prize contender.

Senator Ed Markey (D-Mass.) warned that Trump’s "October surprise" must not involve a nuclear attack. Markey accused Trump of inferring mass slaughter and escalating an arms race in the Middle East through these threats and assistance to Saudi Arabia.

Iran blames US for regional crisis

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei criticized the Trump administration, accusing U.S. officials of blaming Tehran for record-high fuel prices and the Strait of Hormuz crisis. Last week, Trump warned that Iran could face economic collapse or have its leadership wiped out if it refused to reach a deal with Washington.

Trump indicated openness to meeting Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, while Iran’s military warned that any new U.S. attack would trigger sustained retaliation against U.S. bases and interests.