Iran warns external countries against creating a crisis in the Strait of Hormuz.
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Scholars warn: Iran is normalizing its control over the Strait of Hormuz.
According to BlockBeats, on July 3rd, Al Jazeera reported that Rob Guest Pinford, a lecturer in security studies at King's College London, stated that despite US efforts to restore normal shipping and the signing of a memorandum of understanding, Iran's actual control over the Strait of Hormuz has not only not weakened but has actually strengthened since the conflict. He pointed out that before the war, approximately 125 ships passed through the strait daily, but even after recent diplomatic efforts, shipping traffic remains significantly lower than that level. Pinford believes that Gulf states had already sought alternative trade routes before the conflict, and this trend accelerated further after the war, but Iran has consolidated its influence in this crucial waterway by continuously "creating a fait accompli." He emphasized that Iran is deepening its strategic embedding in the strait, leaving shipping companies with "no choice but to adapt" to the new landscape in practical operations. (Jinshi)
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)
Several European countries tacitly approve the prospect of charging fees in the Strait of Hormuz.
PANews reported on July 2nd, citing Bloomberg, that some major European powers have internally accepted that fees for vessels traveling through the Strait of Hormuz to Iran and Oman are "inevitable." Sources say these countries, while acknowledging the increased costs, are demanding that Iran and Oman refrain from discriminating based on vessel nationality and are pushing for the formation of an international maritime coalition to clear mines. The United States and several Gulf Arab states publicly maintain that Iran and Oman have no right to levy any fees on navigation, citing reasons including adherence to international maritime law and preventing setting a precedent for other countries. Oman, on the other hand, is using the Strait of Malacca toll fees and security fund as a reference model, seeking a balance between satisfying Iran's demands and maintaining global shipping stability.
The US and Iran concluded a new round of indirect negotiations, with the US urging Iran to abandon its plan to impose passage fees in the Strait of Hormuz.
According to Mars Finance, on July 2nd, Iran and the United States concluded a round of indirect talks on Wednesday, with no signs of progress toward a lasting peace. Instead, the focus remained on the issues they claimed to have resolved when they announced a provisional agreement two weeks prior. Reuters reported that sources familiar with the discussions said negotiators from both countries spent two days in Doha discussing maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and the unfreezing of Iranian funds—two key issues under the preliminary agreement. The Qatari Foreign Ministry stated that the next meeting will be held after the funeral of Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, scheduled for July 9th. In Washington, US President Trump stated that progress was being made on the possibility of limiting Iran's nuclear program. "The denuclearization of Iran is progressing well," he told reporters. "They've had very good meetings, and we're watching." However, sources indicated that the nuclear program issue was not raised in the negotiations, which were essentially technical.
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 launches at least two missiles at ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
According to Mars Finance, on July 7th, AXIOS reported that a US official stated that Iran fired at least two missiles at ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Two merchant ships were hit and severely damaged, but there were no casualties.