Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has reiterated Tehran’s stance on the Strait of Hormuz, saying that the critical strait will remain
closed until the US fulfils its commitments under the peace deal that was signed in June. Addressing the Parliament, Ghalibaf also said that Iran has “very explicitly conveyed its messages and conditions to the opposing side through intermediaries”. He added that the enemy (US) is "well aware that the path of deception and unilateral imposition is closed; until these conditions are met, the legitimate rights of the Iranian nation are recognised, and American commitments are fulfilled, there will be no opening for a return to the previous state of negotiations or for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.” The United States has issued fresh security warnings to Americans in several Middle Eastern countries, urging them to exercise “heightened vigilance” amid rising regional tensions and warning of possible escalation, flight cancellations and airspace closures. The alerts, dated September 19, cover Americans in Iraq, Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Qatar, Lebanon, Kuwait and Jordan. According to the warnings, the security environment across the Middle East remains “complex with the potential for unforeseen escalation”. Americans currently in the region were advised to remain alert to possible travel disruptions and changes to local security conditions. The US diplomatic missions warned that rising tensions could lead to flight cancellations, airspace closures and other disruptions affecting travellers across the region. Americans travelling to or from the Middle East were advised to monitor information from airports and airlines before making travel plans. Those outside the region were also urged to “seriously reconsider travel to and through the region” because of the potential for rapidly changing security conditions. The warnings specifically pointed to hostilities involving the Iranian-supported Houthis and Saudi Arabia, including attacks affecting civilian airports.
