Iran has hardened its position on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, linking any move to an end to the US war and blockade, the release of frozen Iranian assets and a region-wide ceasefire covering Lebanon and Gaza.

Newly appointed Supreme National Security Council secretary Mohsen Rezaei said the strategic waterway would remain closed until those conditions were met. According to Al Jazeera, Rezaei made the remarks shortly after meeting Chinese envoy Cong Peiwu in Tehran, where he called for closer Iran-China ties.

Tensions remain high as military activity continues around the Strait, the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb. The US military has also continued attacks on vessels as part of its blockade of Iran’s southern ports.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has meanwhile warned that any further US attack could expose regional energy infrastructure and other critical systems to retaliation.

The developments come as Pakistan, Qatar and other mediators continue efforts to bring Washington and Tehran back toward a diplomatic settlement, while Iran faces growing economic pressure and heightened security concerns at home.

BOB Post