Iran Links Hormuz Reopening to Seven Demands Amid Reports of New US-Israeli Strike Planning

Iran's Supreme National Security Council secretary Mohsen Rezaei said on October 22 that Tehran would not reopen the Strait of Hormuz or resume talks with Washington until seven conditions conveyed through intermediaries are met. He warned that a renewed war would lead Iran to target US regional assets, including cables and artificial intelligence facilities, while acknowledging that a prolonged blockade would harm Iran. Reports cited by NPR and ABC said the US and Israel have prepared options for possible renewed strikes after the November 3 midterm elections, with petrochemical and nuclear sites among potential targets, though the White House said no attacks would occur before the vote.

Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said on October 22 that Tehran would keep the Strait of Hormuz closed and avoid talks with Washington until seven requirements relayed by intermediaries are satisfied. He said Iran would no longer rely on purely political guarantees and noted that a long blockade would damage his country.

He also warned that renewed fighting would prompt Iran to strike U.S. regional assets, naming cables and artificial intelligence sites, and claimed Iranian forces had hit five alleged smuggling vessels nightly for two to three months. Reports from NPR and ABC described U.S.-Israeli options after the November 3 midterms, including petrochemical and nuclear targets; the White House said no attack would occur before the vote.