Iranian official denies claim of $8bn deal over Strait of Hormuz

Claims of an $8bn deal concerning the passage of commercial vessels and oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz have been denied by an unnamed Iranian official speaking to the Fars News Agency. The official said reports that talks were under way to reopen the strait in exchange for the release of this sum were untrue.

According to the statement, Tehran insists that the seven conditions it previously set out for negotiations be met, and says it will accept contact only within that framework. The conditions cover maritime transport and oil trade, as well as sanctions and frozen assets.

Safe passage and sanctions among the conditions

The seven conditions listed by the source are:

• Lifting the naval blockade.
• Guaranteeing the safe passage of commercial vessels and oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz.
• Lifting unilateral sanctions.
• Granting an exemption for oil exports.
• Releasing frozen assets.
• Keeping nuclear materials inside the country.
• Ending the war.

Reports denied by the official had claimed that US President Donald Trump would meet Qatar's Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, on Monday to discuss a proposal attributed to Iran. The claim, carried by some international media outlets, was based on the Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom.

Statement on tanker passages

Meanwhile, Iranian state television reported that the Iranian Armed Forces had targeted at least 11 tankers in the Strait of Hormuz over the past 10 days. The report alleged that the vessels had switched off their tracking systems and used an alternative route not approved by Tehran.

The same report said that four tankers had been unable to complete their passage through the strait in the past 24 hours. It did not say whether any of the tankers reported as targeted were among vessels damaged after striking mines.