Iran Says Strait of Hormuz Will Not Return to Prewar Status

Iran said the Strait of Hormuz would not return to its prewar status even if the proposed understanding under discussion with Washington is accepted. Tehran said the draft calls for ship transits to return to previous levels within no more than 30 days and for the naval blockade to be fully lifted. Iran said that if those provisions are not implemented, there will be no change in the strait’s status. It also said any changes to transit and navigation would depend on the United States fulfilling its other obligations under the agreement. On the U.S. side, the process is expected to include 60 days of negotiations on lifting sanctions and releasing frozen Iranian assets. American troops deployed in the region would not withdraw before a final agreement is reached.