Brief
Iran says Strait of Hormuz will reopen if U.S. withdraws from region
An Iranian army spokesman warned the United States to exit the Middle East, saying the strategic waterway will be reopened only after U.S. forces depart.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Iran's army spokesperson announced on Friday that the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened only if the United States leaves the Middle East, warning that a continued U.S. presence would be expelled.
What happened
The statement was posted on X by Mohammad Akrami, who wrote, "If it does not leave, we will expel it." The warning came as a maritime monitor reported three strikes on vessels in the strait this week, noting that ships remain vulnerable to "indiscriminate attacks" even when they switch off tracking systems. On Thursday, Iran‑backed Houthi forces launched a strike on Yemen's presidential palace in Aden, causing multiple deaths and injuries among security staff. Later that day, the Iranian navy said it had identified a tanker on fire in a prohibited area of the Gulf of Oman, east of the strait.
What the reports add
CBS News highlighted the Houthi strike on Aden's presidential palace and the tanker fire, linking both incidents to the broader tension over the strait. The outlet also noted a separate story about a Norwegian teenager sentenced in the United Kingdom for a murder‑for‑hire plot tied to an Iran‑linked crime network, though this case is unrelated to the maritime developments.
What was said
Mohammad Akrami told CBS News via X, "If it does not leave, we will expel it." The maritime monitor, unnamed in the report, warned that vessels are exposed to "indiscriminate attacks" despite attempts to hide movements. The Iranian navy’s public‑relations office issued a statement confirming the tanker fire in the Gulf of Oman.
How it came about
Iran's demand to reopen the strait follows a series of diplomatic overtures earlier in October, including offers to lift the blockade within seven days if the United States eases military pressure, as reported in Felo News articles on September 22 and September 26. The deployment of the U.S. carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt to the Gulf on October 2 heightened tensions, prompting Tehran to issue the latest ultimatum.
Key facts
- Iran's army spokesman said the Strait of Hormuz will reopen only if the U.S. leaves the region (cbsnews.com)
- Three strikes on vessels in the strait were reported this week, with ships vulnerable even when tracking is disabled (cbsnews.com)
- Houthis struck Yemen's presidential palace in Aden, causing multiple deaths and injuries (cbsnews.com)
- The Iranian navy reported a tanker on fire in a prohibited area of the Gulf of Oman (cbsnews.com)
Sources
- [1] cbsnews.com — originally reported as “Live Updates: Iran says Strait of Hormuz will reopen if U.S. leaves the region”
