Iran Insists on Control of Hormuz Strait and Fee Rights Despite US Interim Deal

According to Iranian officials on July 1, Iran is determined to gain international recognition for its control of the Strait of Hormuz and the right to charge passage fees, despite a month-old interim agreement with the U.S. that requires 60 days of free transit for vessels. Iran maintains that the agreement's language allows it to control which ships pass through and their routes within the waterway.

Iranian negotiators are committed to securing long-term formal recognition of this control after the interim agreement expires, and will not shift focus to other disputed issues in peace talks with Washington until consensus is reached on this matter.