Iran denies Kyodo, Reuters reports of Hormuz reopening
Iranian sources cited by Fars call the reports invalid, days after Tehran said it would reopen the strait if the US lifted its blockade.
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Map: The Gulf and Hormuz, marking Strait of Hormuz
UpdateTuesday, September 22, 2026 at 7:25 AM ET
A tanker in the Strait of Hormuz was hit by an unknown projectile on Monday, as US and Iranian officials were arranging talks in New York, according to Fars. Iran's economy is under growing strain, with the blockade preventing it from exporting crude oil, a pillar of its national revenue. Fars also identified Ghalibaf, who said Iran will not surrender to the United States, as the country's parliament speaker.
Iranian officials denied reports from Kyodo and Reuters that Iran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, according to Fars, which cited unnamed Iranian sources calling the accounts invalid and untrue.
Iran had said it would reopen the strait within 7 days if the US lifted its blockade. That blockade remains in place.
The denial follows other signals from Tehran. Iran's Revolutionary Guard said the country must negotiate if national interests require it, while Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Iran would not surrender to the United States, according to Fars.
Brent and WTI had stabilized this week after an 8% drop over four days, as shipping through the strait showed signs of easing and US and Iranian officials prepared for talks in New York. Iran's denial contradicts its own conditional offer to reopen the strait, undermining confidence in its negotiating position at a moment when oil prices had rallied on hopes of diplomatic progress and restored strait access. That makes a near-term deal less likely and removes support for the recent oil recovery.