---
title: "Iran vows to keep Strait of Hormuz shut until US lifts blockade and sanctions"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/conflict/iran-vows-to-keep-strait-of-hormuz-shut-until-us-lifts-blockade-and-sanctions"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/iran-vows-to-keep-strait-of-hormuz-shut-until-us-lifts-blockade-and-sanctions"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/conflict/iran-vows-to-keep-strait-of-hormuz-shut-until-us-lifts-blockade-and-sanctions.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/iran-vows-to-keep-strait-of-hormuz-shut-until-us-lifts-blockade-and-sanctions"
category: "Conflict & Security"
area: "Middle East"
published: "2026-08-18T11:46:41.037Z"
source_reported: "2026-08-18T11:13:17.000Z"
updated: "2026-08-18T11:46:41.037Z"
trust_score: 78
critic_score: 65
hype_score: 15
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-08-18T12:46:02.357013+00:00"
---

# Iran vows to keep Strait of Hormuz shut until US lifts blockade and sanctions

*Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf sets conditions for reopening the waterway after a ship was hit by an unidentified projectile*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 78 of 100, higher is better. 31 digests agree on the central claim; one full report names a source.
- Craft 65 of 100, higher is better. only one outlet quotes affected parties or says what happens next.
- Hype 15 of 100, lower is better. headlines are measured and match the body.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the Strait of Hormuz will stay closed until the US meets conditions in a June memorandum of understanding, including lifting a naval blockade and sanctions.
- A ship transiting the strait was hit by an unidentified projectile, causing at least one casualty and engine room damage. The crew is under Omani coast guard protection.
- Ghalibaf listed four demands: ending the naval blockade, releasing frozen Iranian assets, lifting oil sanctions and halting military operations.
- Donald Trump told Fox News he would bomb Oman if it obstructed a Hormuz-related agreement, though Oman and Iran have held talks without US involvement.

Iran’s chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf announced on 18 August 2026 that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the United States fulfils commitments under a June memorandum of understanding. Ghalibaf, who also serves as Iran’s parliament speaker, said the waterway would not reopen until Washington lifts its naval blockade, releases frozen Iranian assets, ends oil sanctions and halts military operations.

On the same day, a ship transiting the strait was struck by an unidentified projectile. The attack caused at least one casualty and damaged the engine room, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). The crew is under the protection of the Omani coast guard, and no environmental damage has been reported. An investigation is underway to determine the origin of the projectile.

In a separate development, former US president Donald Trump said in an interview with Fox News that he would bomb Oman if the country obstructed an agreement related to the Strait of Hormuz. Oman and Iran have held discussions about the waterway without US participation.

## What the coverage left out

None of the right-rated digests mentioned the attack on the ship in the Strait of Hormuz. None of the right-rated digests reported Donald Trump’s threat to bomb Oman. The left-rated digests did not carry the detail that the crew of the attacked ship is under Omani coast guard protection.

## Who covered it

Shares of the 29 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 28% (8)
- Centre: 24% (7)
- Right: 48% (14)

18 of 47 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-08-18T12:46:02.357013+00:00.

**Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 7 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-08-18T13:30:50.513Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

- All five left-rated digests led on Iran’s conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Vanguard News and Al-Monitor included Ghalibaf’s full list of demands: lifting the naval blockade, releasing frozen assets, ending oil sanctions and halting military operations. Cumhuriyet and La Presse framed the closure as an ultimatum to the US. TVA Nouvelles carried the same four demands but did not mention Trump’s threat to bomb Oman.

### Centre

- The five centre-rated digests focused on the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the attack on the ship. Reuters, Euronews and WTVB reported Ghalibaf’s statement that the waterway would stay shut until the US meets the June agreement’s conditions. Digi24, the only centre-rated outlet with a full report, quoted Ghalibaf directly: “the Strait of Hormuz will not be opened as long as the American commitments (...) are not implemented.” It also carried Trump’s threat to bomb Oman. Lietuvos Radijas ir Televizija did not mention the attack on the ship.

### Right

- Nine of the eleven right-rated digests led on Iran’s refusal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz until the US meets its demands. Anadolu Ajansı and The Nation listed all four conditions Ghalibaf set. The Straits Times and Tribune India reported the closure but did not specify the demands. Globo included a brief explanation of the strait’s strategic importance. None of the right-rated digests mentioned the attack on the ship or Trump’s threat to bomb Oman.

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- mixed: 7
- high: 19
- unknown: 18
- veryHigh: 3

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [Jordan News | Latest News from Jordan, MENA](https://jordannews.jo/Section-20/Middle-East/Ghalibaf-Strait-of-Hormuz-Will-Not-Reopen-Until-US-Meets-Iranian-Demands-54441) — Ghalibaf: Strait of Hormuz Will Not Reopen Until US Meets Iranian Demands
- [Zeit Online](https://zeit.de/news/2026-08/18/iran-oeffnung-der-strasse-von-hormus-haengt-von-usa-ab) — Iran War: Iran: Opening the Road of Hormus Depends on USA
- [La República](https://larepublica.co/globoeconomia/iran-dice-que-ormuz-seguira-cerrado-hasta-que-ee-uu-cumpla-el-acuerdo-provisional-4460676) — Iran Says Ormuz Will Remain Closed Until the U.S. Complies with the Interim Agreement
- [Forbes](https://forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2026/08/18/iran-says-hormuz-will-stay-shut-until-us-lifts-sanctions-and-blockade-as-deadline-passes-for-peace-deal) — Iran Says Hormuz Will Stay Shut Until U.S. Lifts Sanctions And Blockade—As Deadline Passes For Peace Deal
- [Aydınlık](https://aydinlik.com.tr/haber/hurmuz-bogazi-acilacak-mi-iran-acikladi-587052) — Will the Strait of Hormuz Be Opened? Iran Has Made a Statement.
- [Clarin](https://clarin.com/mundo/iran-advierte-estrecho-ormuz-abrira-donald-trump-cumpla-compromisos-asumio_0_ay0K5XzqV1.html) — Iran Warns that the Strait of Ormuz Will Not Open Until Donald Trump Fulfills His Commitments
- [Haberler](https://haberler.com/dunya/iran-meclis-baskani-kalibaf-tan-hurmuz-bogazi-20155026-haberi) — Kalibaf: The Strait of Hormuz Will Not Be Opened Until the Conditions Are Met.
- [Observador](https://observador.pt/2026/08/18/teerao-estreito-de-ormuz-vai-continuar-fechado-ate-eua-cumprir-compromissos) — Tehran: Strait of Ormuz Will Remain Closed Until the U.S. Fulfills Commitments
- [Stirile Pro TV](https://stirileprotv.ro/stiri/international/stramtoarea-ormuz-ramane-inchisa-iranul-ii-transmite-lui-trump-ce-trebuie-sa-faca-sua-pentru-redeschiderea-rutei-strategice.html) — The Ormuz Strait Remains Closed. Iran Sends Trump What He Needs to Do to Reopen the Strategic Route
- [lrytas.lt](https://lrytas.lt/pasaulis/ivykiai/2026/08/18/news/irano-derybininkas-hormuzo-sasiauris-nebus-atvertas-kol-jav-neivykdys-reikalavimu-43586088) — Iranian Negotiator: Strait of Hormuz Will Not Be Opened Until US Meets Demands
- [Tribune India](https://tribuneindia.com/news/world/hormuz-strait-wont-be-opened-until-us-complies-with-interim-deal-conditions-irans-ghalibaf) — Hormuz Strait wont be opened until US complies with interim deal conditions: Irans Ghalibaf - The Tribune
- [Vanguard News](https://vanguardngr.com/2026/08/hormuz-wont-open-until-us-meets-demands-iran-negotiator-says) — Hormuz won't open until US meets demands, Iran negotiator says
- [Asharq AL-awsat](https://english.aawsat.com/world/5308320-iran-negotiator-ghalibaf-says-hormuz-will-not-open-until-us-meets-demands) — Iran Negotiator Ghalibaf Says Hormuz Will Not Open until US Meets Demands
- [Digi 24](https://digi24.ro/stiri/externe/stramtoarea-ormuz-va-ramane-inchisa-pana-la-noi-ordine-avertizeaza-iranul-3910837) — Strâmtoarea Ormuz Va Rămâne Închisă Până La Noi Ordine, Avertizează Iranul
- [TVA Nouvelles](https://tvanouvelles.ca/2026/08/18/iran-le-detroit-dormuz-restera-ferme-tant-que-washington-naura-pas-satisfait-les-exigences) — Iran: The Strait of Ormuz Will Remain Closed Until Washington Meets the Requirements
- [siol.net](https://siol.net/novice/svet/iran-ostro-hormuska-ozina-se-ne-bo-odprla-dokler-vzivo-699230) — Iran Says the Strait of Hormuz Will Not Open until... #Live
- [LaProvence.com](https://laprovence.com/article/france-monde/29482556101282/iran-le-detroit-d-ormuz-restera-ferme-tant-que-washington-n-aura-pas-satisfait-les-exigences-de-teheran) — Iran: The Strait of Ormuz Will Remain Closed Until Washington Meets Tehran's Requirements
- [La Presse](https://lapresse.ca/international/moyen-orient/2026-08-18/conflit-au-moyen-orient/le-detroit-d-ormuz-restera-ferme-tant-que-washington-n-aura-pas-satisfait-les-exigences-de-teheran.php) — Conflict in the Middle East: The Strait of Ormuz Will Remain Closed Until Washington Meets Tehran's Requirements
- [RPP](https://rpp.pe/mundo/medio-oriente/tension-en-medio-oriente-iran-insiste-en-que-no-reabrira-ormuz-hasta-que-eeuu-cumpla-sus-condiciones-noticia-1702132) — Pressure in the Middle East: Iran Insists It Will Not Reopen Ormuz Until the U.S. Meets Its Conditions
- [Anadolu Ajansı](https://aa.com.tr/en/us-israel-iran-war/iran-says-hormuz-will-remain-closed-until-us-fulfills-commitments-under-memorandum/4030407) — Iran says Hormuz will remain closed until US fulfills commitments under memorandum
- [La Tercera](https://latercera.com/mundo/noticia/iran-recalca-que-el-paso-de-ormuz-seguira-cerrado-hasta-que-estados-unidos-cumpla-con-sus-compromisos) — Iran Stresses that the Ormuz Crossing Will Remain Closed Until the United States Honours Its Commitments
- [The Nation](https://nation.com.pk/18-Aug-2026/iran-says-hormuz-will-remain-closed-us-fulfills-commitments-memorandum) — Iran says Hormuz will remain closed until US fulfills commitments under memorandum
- [SIC Notícias](https://sicnoticias.pt/especiais/tensao-eua-irao/2026-08-18-irao-mantem-estreito-de-ormuz-fechado-ate-estados-unidos-cumprirem-acordo-de-junho-2f598628) — Iran Keeps Close of Ormuz Closed Until the United States Comply with the June Agreement
- [Quotidiano Nazionale](https://quotidiano.net/esteri/spari-su-una-nave-a-hormuz-liran-lo-stretto-resta-chiuso-finche-gli-usa-non-rispetteranno-il-memorandum-dosfyt8g) — Hit a Ship in Hormuz. Iran: The Strait Remains Closed Until the US Complies with the Memorandum of Understanding.
- [China Daily](https://chinadaily.com.cn/a/202608/18/WS6a8425e2a3106bc57421c233.html) — Iran's top negotiator Qalibaf says Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until US meets interim deal conditions: media
- [AlKhaleej Today](https://alkhaleejtoday.co/international/5864121/Iran-refuses-to-reopen-the-Strait-of-Hormuz-until-the-US-lifts-its-naval-blockade.html) — Iran refuses to reopen the Strait of Hormuz until the US lifts its naval blockade
- [Unknown](https://chosun.com/international/international_general/2026/08/18/2IHEMV223RFGDPYLX7XFGXOVYI) — Iran: "Hormuz Will Not Open" Houthi: "Attack Saudi Arabia"
- [Noticias ao Minuto](https://noticiasaominuto.com/mundo/3038001/estreito-vai-continuar-fechado-ate-eua-cumprirem-compromissos-diz-teerao) — Strait Will Remain Closed Until the U.S. Fulfills Commitments, Says Tehran
- [Al Arabiya](https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2026/08/18/hormuz-strait-to-remain-closed-until-us-meets-interim-deal-conditions-ghalibaf-) — Hormuz Strait to remain closed until US meets interim deal conditions: Ghalibaf
- [연합뉴스-Yonhap News Agency](https://yna.co.kr/view/AKR20260818162000099) — Iranian Negotiator: "Will Not Open Hormuz Until U.S. Fulfills MOU Promises"
- [Euronews](https://euronews.com/2026/08/18/ship-hit-in-hormuz-as-irans-top-negotiator-says-strait-to-stay-shut) — Ship hit in Hormuz as Iran's top negotiator says strait to stay shut
- [Cumhuriyet](https://cumhuriyet.com.tr/dunya/iran-dan-abd-ye-hurmuz-resti-sartlar-yerine-gelmeden-acilmayacak-2530068) — Iran Issues Ultimatum to the US Regarding the Strait of Hormuz: It Will Not Be Opened Until Conditions Are Met.
- [Globo](https://g1.globo.com/mundo/noticia/2026/08/18/ira-diz-que-estreito-de-ormuz-segue-fechado-ate-que-eua-cumpram-acordo.ghtml) — Iran Says Strait of Ormuz Remains Closed Until the U.S. Fulfills Agreement
- [Channel News Asia](https://channelnewsasia.com/world/strait-hormuz-shut-us-iran-deal-conditions-6325596) — Hormuz Strait to remain shut until US meets interim deal conditions, Iran says
- [The Straits Times](https://straitstimes.com/asia/hormuz-strait-to-remain-shut-until-u-s-meets-interim-deal-conditions-iran-says) — Hormuz Strait to remain shut until U.S. meets interim deal conditions, Iran says
- [Reuters](https://reuters.com/world/middle-east/hormuz-strait-remain-shut-until-us-meets-interim-deal-conditions-iran-says-2026-08-18) — Hormuz Strait to remain shut until U.S. meets interim deal conditions, Iran says
- [WTVB](https://wtvbam.com/2026/08/18/hormuz-strait-to-remain-shut-until-u-s-meets-interim-deal-conditions-iran-says) — Hormuz Strait to remain shut until U.S. meets interim deal conditions, Iran says
- [The Independent](https://independent.co.uk/bulletin/news/trump-iran-strait-of-hormuz-b3034780.html) — Iran sets key conditions for the Strait of Hormuz reopening
- [Hospodárske Noviny](https://hnonline.sk/svet/96297571-iran-ziada-od-usa-naplnenie-poziadaviek-teheranu-dovtedy-nebude-hormuzsky-prieliv-otvoreny-odkazuje-kalibaf) — Iran Demands US to Meet Tehran's Demands. Until Then, the Strait of Hormuz Will Not Be Open, Says Qalibaf
- [Lietuvos Radijas ir Televizija](https://lrt.lt/naujienos/pasaulyje/6/3025240/iranas-hormuzo-sasiauris-liks-uzdarytas-kol-jav-neivykdys-teherano-reikalavimu) — Iran: Strait of Hormuz Will Remain Closed Until US Meets Tehran's Demands
- [Handelsblatt](https://handelsblatt.com/politik/international/iran-krieg-iran-oeffnung-der-strasse-von-hormus-haengt-von-usa-ab/100247994.html) — Iran War: Iran: Opening the Road of Hormus Depends on USA
- [aachener-zeitung.de](https://aachener-zeitung.de/politik/iran-oeffnung-der-strasse-von-hormus-haengt-von-usa-ab/160165963.html) — Iran: Opening the Hormus Road Depends on USA
- [noz.de](https://noz.de/deutschland-welt/politik/artikel/iran-offnung-der-strasse-von-hormus-haengt-von-usa-ab-51147482) — Iran: Opening the Hormus Road Depends on USA
- [Le Figaro](https://lefigaro.fr/international/iran-le-detroit-d-ormuz-restera-ferme-tant-que-washington-n-aura-pas-satisfait-les-exigences-de-teheran-annonce-le-negociateur-en-chef-iranien-20260818) — Iran: the Strait of Ormuz Will Remain Closed Until Washington Meets Tehran's Requirements, Iran's Chief Negotiator Announces
- [Crypto Briefing](https://cryptobriefing.com/iran-keeps-strait-of-hormuz-closed-until-us-meets-deal-conditions) — Iran keeps Strait of Hormuz closed until US meets deal conditions
- [Metrópoles](https://metropoles.com/mundo/estreito-de-ormuz-ficara-fechado-ate-acordo-ser-cumprido-diz-ira) — Strait of Ormuz Will Be Closed Until Agreement Is Fulfilled, Says Iran
- [Al-Monitor](https://al-monitor.com/originals/2026/08/hormuz-strait-remain-shut-until-us-meets-interim-deal-conditions-iran-says) — Hormuz Strait to remain shut until U.S. meets interim deal conditions, Iran says

## Questions

**What are Iran’s conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz?**

Iran’s chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the strait will stay closed until the US lifts its naval blockade, releases frozen Iranian assets, ends oil sanctions and halts military operations. These demands were set out in a June memorandum of understanding between the two countries.

**What happened to the ship in the Strait of Hormuz?**

A ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz was hit by an unidentified projectile on 18 August 2026. The attack caused at least one casualty and damaged the engine room. The crew is under Omani coast guard protection, and no environmental damage has been reported.

**Which outlets reported Donald Trump’s threat to bomb Oman?**

Donald Trump’s threat to bomb Oman if it obstructed a Hormuz-related agreement was reported by Digi24 and carried in full in its own words. None of the right-rated digests mentioned the threat, and none of the left-rated digests included it.

---

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