Iran conditions Hormuz reopening
Iran said it is close to finalizing an agreement with Oman on new maritime routes through the Strait of Hormuz. Officials described the talks as being in the final stages, with the proposed arrangement centered on managing traffic through the strategic waterway.
Tehran also said reopening the strait remains conditional on the United States meeting several demands. Those include compensation, an end to sanctions, and a halt to military threats. Iranian officials said the talks with Washington are not direct and are being carried out through intermediaries.
Key Events
- Iran said an agreement with Oman on new maritime routes through the Strait of Hormuz is nearing completion.
- Iran said the waterway will not fully reopen unless the United States meets additional demands.
- Those demands include compensation, an end to sanctions, and a halt to military threats.
- Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the Oman agreement was in its final stages.
- Araghchi said Iran and the United States are not holding direct talks and are communicating through intermediaries.
BJP enforces Jharkhand statewide bandh
Normal life was disrupted in parts of Jharkhand as the BJP enforced a statewide bandh in protest against police action on job seekers in Ranchi. Schools and many businesses remained closed, while traffic was thin in the state capital and several other towns.
The shutdown followed Monday's confrontation near the state assembly, where police used water cannons, tear gas and batons against demonstrators who were protesting alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations. BJP state president Aditya Sahu said the bandh would run from 8 a.m. to midnight and would not affect essential services.
The party condemned the police response as excessive and blamed the JMM-led government for choosing force instead of addressing the concerns of students and job aspirants.
Key Events
- BJP supporters launched a statewide bandh in Jharkhand on Tuesday.
- Schools, businesses and vehicle movement were heavily disrupted in Ranchi and other parts of the state.
- The bandh was called after police used water cannons, tear gas and batons against protesting job seekers in Ranchi on Monday.
- The protesters had gathered near the state assembly to raise concerns over alleged irregularities in recruitment exams.
- BJP state president Aditya Sahu said essential services were exempt from the shutdown.
- The BJP accused the JMM-led government of violence and of failing to address the students' demands.
Trump rejects Iran compensation demand
Donald Trump rejected Iran’s demand for compensation linked to damage from months of U.S. and Israeli bombardment. He said Tehran had not previously raised the issue in negotiations.
The dispute is part of a wider standoff over the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran tying any reopening of the waterway to U.S. concessions. Tehran wants sanctions lifted, military threats ended, and compensation addressed before allowing shipping to resume normally.
Key Events
- Donald Trump rejected Iran’s demand for compensation for damage caused by months of U.S. and Israeli bombardment.
- Trump said Iranian negotiators had not raised the compensation issue until now.
- Iran has tied reopening the Strait of Hormuz to U.S. concessions, including sanctions relief and compensation.
- The standoff over Hormuz has kept oil markets on edge.
Trump expands demands on Iran
U.S. President Donald Trump added new demands to negotiations with Iran, calling for compensation over deaths and injuries linked to roadside bombs and other conflicts. He also said reparations should be paid to families of protesters killed in Iran over the past 50 years.
The move came after Tehran renewed its own request for compensation tied to the war with the United States and Israel. Trump said the issue would be built into any future talks and later broadened his demand to include damage and deaths in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Gaza.
The competing claims have made a fast agreement less likely, undercutting hopes for a deal that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz while oil prices continue to rise.
Key Events
- Trump called for compensation from Iran for people killed and wounded by roadside bombs and other conflicts.
- He said reparations should also go to families of protesters killed in Iran over the past 50 years.
- Trump said the demands would be included in future negotiations.
- Iran had already been pushing for compensation tied to the U.S. and Israeli war that began on Feb. 28.
- Trump later said Iran should be responsible for damage and deaths in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Gaza.
- The new terms appeared to reduce the chances of a quick agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.