As negotiations continue between Iran and the Sultanate of Oman regarding the Strait of Hormuz and ways to reopen it to shipping traffic after it stopped following the Iranian-American confrontations, Tehran set 6 conditions that it said the United States must adhere to, before opening this vital shipping lane globally. The Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Muhammad Baqir Dhu al-Qadr, considered that the Strait would not be opened before Washington corrects its behavior, ends military operations against Iran and its allies in Lebanon, Palestine, Yemen, and Iraq, lifts the blockade and sanctions, withdraws American forces from the vicinity of the country, pays compensation, and releases Iranian assets frozen abroad. He also indicated that "the Supreme National Security Council will not back down from these demands, whether in war or negotiations," in a position that adds more ambiguity and complexity to the Iranian-Omani negotiations despite the optimistic statements issued during the past days by the Iranian side. Especially after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi confirmed that Tehran and Muscat are very close to reaching an agreement on the legal mechanism for managing the strait and determining a new route for ship movement. Note that he clarified at the same time that the understanding with Muscat “does not mean reopening Hormuz,” and linked its reopening to addressing American violations of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, as he put it. On the other hand, Washington appears to be betting on increasing military and economic pressure on Iran. US Vice President J.D. Vance said in an interview with Fox News yesterday evening, Saturday, that his country “is applying a full set of tools and pressures on Iran, including diplomatic, economic, and military, to ensure that we get the best outcome for the American people,” as he put it. He believed that “the Iranians are hurting and want to end the matter.” He also expressed his hope that an agreement would soon be reached that would allow energy supplies through the Strait of Hormuz to return to pre-war levels.