Iran says U.S. demands remain “excessive” and insists its conditions must be met before reopening Strait of Hormuz

Iran and the United States remain far from reaching an agreement to end their war, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Tuesday, saying Tehran would not accept what it considers Washington’s “excessive demands.”

The official said Iran’s conditions would have to be met before Tehran reopens the Strait of Hormuz, with negotiations over its nuclear program coming only afterward.

The comments underline the distance still separating the two sides despite intensified diplomatic efforts by regional mediators seeking to narrow the gap.

Iran has insisted that any agreement must include concrete guarantees from Washington and implementation of U.S. commitments before Tehran takes reciprocal steps.

The senior official also warned that any further U.S. attacks would draw a “decisive” response from Iran, potentially extending beyond the immediate area of the conflict.

Tehran’s position comes as Qatari mediators continue efforts to advance a phased framework under which Iran would ease restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz in return for steps by Washington, including relief from the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports.

Iran has also maintained that nuclear negotiations should resume only after its initial conditions are fulfilled and verified.

The latest warning follows limited U.S. strikes on Iranian targets around Qeshm Island after Iranian forces used surface-to-air missiles against U.S. assets, according to American officials.