Key facts
- Iran will not comply with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the US if Washington violates its commitments.
- The EU is calling for the Strait of Hormuz to be reopened and for freedom of navigation.
- A senior Iranian adviser stated Tehran will continue to fight for the Strait of Hormuz.
- US President Donald Trump pledged to take full control of the Strait of Hormuz.
- Iran's military stated it would not allow the United States to 'interfere' in the management of the Strait of Hormuz.
- Iran's military warned Gulf countries that any cooperation with Washington would be considered an 'act of war'.
Iran has indicated it will not adhere to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United States if Washington fails to uphold its commitments, particularly concerning the cessation of hostilities. Esmaeil Baghaei, Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson, stated that Iran would continue to act in kind if the other party fails to meet its obligations.
Baghaei also alleged that US pressure on Oman has impeded the establishment of a joint mechanism between Iran and Oman for managing the Strait of Hormuz. This statement comes amid recent exchanges of strikes between the US and Iran, which both sides claim violate the terms of the MoU signed on June 15.
The US Central Command reported striking missile and drone storage sites and radar installations along Iran's southern coast, characterizing the action as a response to an attack on a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for retaliatory strikes against US military installations in the region, warning of more extensive responses to repeated aggression.
Bahrain's Foreign Ministry condemned an alleged Iranian drone attack on its territory, deeming it a serious violation of sovereignty. Additionally, a tanker was reportedly hit by an unidentified projectile, though all crew members were reported safe. The IRGC had previously warned against alternative routes in the Strait of Hormuz, asserting that only routes approved by Tehran could ensure safe passage.
Amid the rising tensions, European Union Vice President Kaja Kallas stated that EU foreign ministers will meet with Gulf nations to discuss regional security and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Kallas noted that the Iran-US interim deal is 'not really holding' and emphasized the need for freedom of navigation in the vital waterway. Iran has warned against 'foreign' interference in the Gulf.
Mohammed Mokhber, a senior adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader, stated that Tehran will continue to fight for the Strait of Hormuz, especially after US President Donald Trump pledged to take full control of the crucial trade route. Mokhber wrote on X that Iran defends the waterway to avoid paying tribute to the enemy in the future and that retreating from this vital matter is not an option for Iran's allies. Iran's military spokesperson Ebrahim Zolfaghari stated that Tehran would not allow the U.S. to interfere in the Strait of Hormuz and warned Gulf countries that cooperation with Washington would be considered an act of war.