Iran Wants Complete Control Of Hormuz For 30 Days, Warns Against Foreign Intervention

Iran said on Sunday that it will have sole control over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz for the next 30 days, warning that any attempt by other countries to intervene could increase tensions and delay the full reopening of the strategic waterway.

Speaking in Baghdad during a visit to Iraq, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the Strait of Hormuz would remain under Iran’s “total oversight and management” over the next month while efforts continue to remove the remaining obstacles affecting maritime traffic.

“The Strait of Hormuz remains under the total oversight and management of Iran through the 30 coming days, and after all obstacles are removed, the total capacity of the waterway will be restored. This is what we are working on,” Araghchi said.

He added that Iran alone is responsible for managing the strait. “There is no other party or state in this respect,” he said.

Araghchi warned that any attempt to create alternative arrangements for the waterway would only make the situation more difficult.

“Any interference in this matter, any attempt to establish new or separate arrangements from those currently being carried out by the Islamic Republic of Iran, will only lead to further complications, delay the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and increase the level of tension,” he said. He also referred to incidents over the past two nights that he said had increased tensions and confrontation in the area.

His remarks come as the United States and Iran continue talks on implementing an interim peace agreement signed earlier this month.

The two countries are still discussing issues including the movement of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, the removal of U.S. blockades and sanctions, and the future of Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium.

Under the memorandum of understanding signed earlier this month, both sides have 60 days to work out the remaining details of the agreement.

Araghchi, speaking alongside Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, said Iran would oversee the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz after the remaining obstacles are removed.

He said no other country or organisation has a role in the process and urged all parties to respect the existing agreement and avoid interference.

The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is a key part of the interim agreement. Under the deal, Iran cannot charge ships transit fees while the 60-day negotiations are underway.

Iran is also expected to hold talks with Oman on implementing the agreement in line with international law and in coordination with neighbouring countries.

Analysts say any future transit fees could become a point of disagreement because of international legal obligations.

The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea and is one of the world’s most important shipping routes.

Before the U.S.-Israel-Iran war began on February 28, about one-fifth of the world’s oil passed through the narrow waterway.

After the conflict began, shipping through the strait was largely halted as Iran used threats and attacks on shipping as leverage during the conflict. Hundreds of ships, including oil tankers, were blockaded.

Although vessels had started moving through the strait again after the interim peace agreement was signed, tensions between Washington and Tehran have begun to rise once more.

Iran says it will remain responsible for managing the Strait of Hormuz over the next 30 days while negotiations with the United States continue under the 60-day interim agreement.

References: dpa, timesnownews