The second phase of the Iran-U.S. war is being fought almost exclusively over the future of the Strait of Hormuz.
The sequence of events leading to the restart of hostilities suggests there was no genuine meeting of minds when the MoU was signed.
As before, by holding out and retaliating, Iran has forced the issue — shipowners now seem resigned to paying a “logical” toll, even as they worry about the precedent it sets for other straits.
The MoU, signed on June 14, stipulated Iran would allow ships to pass “with no charge for 60 days only,” and that Iran would work with Oman to “define the future administration and maritime services” in the strait.
Iran was formalising its stake as a legal outcome of the MoU.
The second phase of the Iran-U.S. war is being fought almost exclusively over the future of the Strait of Hormuz. The sequence of events leading to the restart of hostilities suggests there was no genuine meeting of minds when the MoU was signed. As before, by holding out and retaliating, Iran has forced the issue — shipowners now seem resigned to paying a “logical” toll, even as they worry about the precedent it sets for other straits.
The MoU, signed on June 14, stipulated Iran would allow ships to pass “with no charge for 60 days only,” and that Iran would work with Oman to “define the future administration and maritime services” in the strait. Two days later, the Persian Gulf Strait Authority — set up by Iran in May to handle transits — circulated terms reasserting itself as the nodal transit authority, requiring every vessel to hold a passage permit and PGSA-approved insurance, free for now but with fees reserved for later. Iran was formalising its stake as a legal outcome of the MoU.
