Iran refuses to recognize the 1968 Strait of Hormuz navigation agreement and demands renegotiation of the rules of passage.
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Iranian lawmaker: The US must recognize the Iranian regime in the Strait of Hormuz
Odaily Odaily reports that following the Iranian Revolutionary Guard's announcement of strikes against 85 US military facilities in the region, a senior Iranian lawmaker stated that the US must "recognize the new administrative system in the Strait of Hormuz." According to official media reports, Ibrahim Aziz, chairman of the Iranian parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, made the remarks on social media, commenting on the Revolutionary Guard's so-called "preliminary response" to US aggression. He stated, "There is no other way: the new Iranian regime in the Strait of Hormuz must be recognized."
Iran plans to charge a service fee for navigation through the Strait of Hormuz in accordance with international standards.
According to BlockBeats, on July 5th, Iranian Ambassador to China Abdulreza Rahmani Fazli stated in a media interview during the 14th World Peace Forum in Beijing on July 4th that Iran plans to charge a service fee for navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, in accordance with international standards. Fazli stated that before the outbreak of the Iran-Israel war, navigation through the Strait of Hormuz was unimpeded. Currently, Iran has not announced any fees or tariffs, but plans to charge a service fee according to international standards to cover routine expenses such as ensuring navigational safety, navigation, and environmental protection—a practice consistent with other waterways worldwide. Regarding the current situation of the Strait of Hormuz, Fazli said that navigation through the strait is gradually returning to normal, and order is being restored in the passage jointly managed by Iran and Oman.
The US warned Iran that changing the status quo in the Strait of Hormuz would be considered a violation of the agreement.
According to Mars Finance, on July 2nd, Saudi Arabia's Al Arabiya TV, citing sources, reported that the United States has informed Iran that it rejects any actions that would alter the current status quo in the Strait of Hormuz. The sources added that any attempt to change the status quo would be considered a violation of the relevant agreements. The source pointed out that the United States views Iran's attitude and actions regarding the Strait of Hormuz as the first test of its commitments under the agreement; any progress regarding the frozen funds in Iran will be conditional upon Iran's compliance with the agreement.
The number of ships in the Strait of Hormuz's Omani shipping lanes has sharply decreased, and Iran continues to strengthen its control over the waterways.
According to Mars Finance, on July 5th, reports indicated a significant decrease in the number of ships navigating the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Oman on Sunday. This followed a sharp turnaround the previous day by several vessels attempting to leave the strait along the route, highlighting Iran's continued efforts to strengthen its control over this strategic waterway. An oil tanker that turned back on Saturday appears to be attempting to pass again and has now passed the northernmost tip of Oman's Musandem Peninsula. Earlier, another oil tanker also traveled along the same route and publicly announced its intention to navigate, currently broadcasting its position information in the Gulf of Oman. Other vessels are opting for unauthorized transit. A Suezmax crude oil tanker appeared in the Gulf of Oman on Sunday after its last position broadcast in the Persian Gulf on Saturday. Between Friday and Saturday, at least eight vessels suddenly turned back while transiting the Strait of Hormuz along the Omani route. Four of these subsequently changed course northward, exiting the strait via the Iranian side of the route. There is currently no official explanation for these sudden turns. However, Iran has repeatedly stated that ships can only transit the Strait of Hormuz via designated and authorized routes. According to Kpler data, 19 ships transited the Strait of Hormuz in both directions on Saturday, but only one ship publicly indicated it would enter the strait via the Omani coastal route, compared to 13 ships using that route on Friday. These statistics only cover observable navigation activities.
US Ambassador to the UN: Iran attempts to impose illegal fees in the Strait of Hormuz
Odaily Odaily reports: The US Ambassador to the United Nations stated that Iran is attempting to impose illegal fees in the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait of Hormuz must be open to all countries. We will not allow Iran to hold the global economy hostage. Iran's attacks on civilian vessels and obstruction of freedom of navigation have impacted global agriculture. (Jinshi)
Iranian Armed Forces: US Interference in the Strait of Hormuz Will Provoke Retaliation
According to a Odaily by the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting on the 2nd, the Central Headquarters of the Iranian Armed Forces, Hatam Anbia, issued a statement that day saying that the Iranian Armed Forces will respond "resolutely and swiftly" to any interference by the United States in the Strait of Hormuz. The statement said that the Strait of Hormuz is not a place for the United States to act recklessly. The security and stability of this crucial waterway is a "red line" for the Iranian armed forces. The statement indicated that all oil tankers and merchant ships wishing to pass safely through the Strait of Hormuz must follow the routes designated by Iran. Any violation of these routes, any deviation from them, or any disregard for navigation regulations will be met with a response from the Iranian armed forces and will endanger the safety of the offending vessels. (Xinhua)