Washington Pressures for Opening Hormuz, and Tehran Rejects External Management of the Strait

Exclusive – Al-Khabar Al-Yemeni:

Attention is turning to Muscat as regional efforts escalate to contain the Strait of Hormuz crisis and prevent the collapse of the memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran, following the targeting of ships in the strait and an American response that returned both parties to the cycle of escalation and deepened doubts about the resumption of negotiations.

Washington demands, according to the “Axios” website, that Tehran announces the opening of the strait for navigation, stop targeting ships, and not impose fees on their passage. Meanwhile, Muscat, in the presence of Qatari officials, is examining a proposal to establish a new navigational corridor within the strait.

In contrast, Tehran denied requesting the resumption of negotiations, affirming that any return to dialogue is conditional on a change in the American position.

Read also: Iranian Source Denies “Axios” Claims Regarding Hormuz

Tehran: Hormuz is a Sovereign Matter

Iran affirmed that the Strait of Hormuz lies within Iranian and Omani territorial waters, and that its arrangements are discussed between the two countries according to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, stressing that Qatar’s role is limited to mediation.

The Revolutionary Guard also announced that the responsibility for regulating transit in the strait falls on Iran under the existing understandings, rejecting any American management of the maritime passage.

**Military Messages and Expectations for the Coming Phase**

Militarily, the Iranian Defense Minister affirmed that the production of military industries, especially drones, has doubled despite the war, considering that attempts to overthrow the Iranian regime have failed.

Developments indicate that all-out war remains unlikely.

However, the scene is likely to continue with limited strikes and mutual diplomatic pressures, with Muscat remaining the main mediation channel, and the Strait of Hormuz remaining an Iranian pressure card that is difficult to bypass without an understanding with Tehran.