Iran claims sole Strait of Hormus control within 30 days, clerical leaders urge end to US negotiations

New Iranian declaration

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told reporters in Baghdad that "the Strait of Hormus will be fully returned to Iran's administration within the next 30 days." He insisted no other institution or country had authority over the waterway, calling any parallel arrangement a source of "additional tensions and delay" in reopening the strategic passage. The statement came as the US had facilitated ships to use an alternative route near Oman's coast, after Iran attacked vessels on that path.

Any interference or attempt to create parallel structures would further complicate the situation, generate additional tensions, and delay the reopening of this strategically central waterway.

Clerical leaders urge halt to negotiations

From the pilgrimage city of Ghom, influential theological centres called on President, members of the National Security Council and the negotiating team to end talks with Washington if agreements are breached again. The statement, broadcast on state television, argued that violating the framework deal showed a disregard for its legally and religiously binding provisions. Media aligned with the Revolutionary Guards echoed the demand, saying the attacks had already broken the first and central point of the memorandum (a cessation of hostilities on all fronts) and that further dialogue was pointless.

Weekend escalation breaks the ceasefire

The sequence of events is as follows: On Thursday 25 June, Iran used a drone to hit a ship travelling on the Oman-coordinated route, leading the International Maritime Organization to suspend its evacuation plan. The US retaliated with strikes on "missile and drone storage sites and radar installations" on the Iranian coast. Iran then attacked US bases in the region, prompting condemnation from Bahrain and Kuwait, whose territories were struck. On Saturday 27 June, Iran struck another ship.

Both sides targeted each other again over the weekend, though no damage or casualty details were immediately available. The Revolutionary Guards also hit a fully loaded tanker, according to American sources.

Framework agreement under severe strain

The memorandum, signed roughly on 18 June, committed Iran to "best possible arrangements" for free commercial shipping for 60 days without fees and a halt to fighting on all fronts. Tehran would then negotiate the post-60-day regime with Oman, respecting international law and involving all riparian states. Araghchi stressed that the accord must not deviate from its course, while also asserting that Iran alone was responsible for restoring shipping to pre-war levels. The competing interpretations (Iran's sole oversight versus the US view of the strait as an international waterway under customary law) have now flared into open military clashes.

American warnings and IMO's suspended plan

President Donald Trump, writing on Truth Social, warned that the US could be forced to "finish the job militarily, which we started very successfully" if Iran continued to reject diplomatic solutions. The Pentagon continued to support commercial vessels using the Oman-route, where at least two oil tankers and two gas carriers transited on Sunday with tracking systems switched on. The IMO's earlier plan for safe passage is on hold, and the competing claims over route administration have delayed the strait's full reopening, which the memorandum had sought to achieve.