US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that the United States may impose tariffs in the Strait of Hormuz if negotiations with Iran fail as the declared 60-day ceasefire comes to an end.
Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, “No fees will be charged in the Strait of Hormuz during the 60-day ceasefire period, and no fees will be charged after this period, unless imposed by the United States if no agreement is reached, in return for services rendered as protector of the Middle Eastern countries, and for the purpose of offsetting past, present and future costs.”
On Saturday, Iran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to maritime traffic, accusing the United States of failing to fulfill its obligations under the memorandum of understanding signed between the two sides, and holding Israel responsible for the continued attacks on Lebanon despite the ceasefire.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry said that “the first clause is the most important in the memorandum of understanding, and the other party has failed to fulfill its commitment to force the Zionist entity to stop its attacks on Lebanon,” considering that the continuation of Israeli attacks represents “a clear violation of the ceasefire.”
The Foreign Ministry added that Tehran “did not sign an agreement that will not be implemented,” emphasizing that its approach is based on “commitment for commitment,” and demanding that the United States expedite the implementation of the memorandum of understanding, otherwise it “will face problems.” It also stressed that the agreement’s provisions are “an integrated set, and if some of them are not implemented, problems will arise.”
The statements came hours after the leadership of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters of the Iranian Armed Forces announced its intention to close the Strait of Hormuz, considering that the United States had clearly violated its commitments regarding the implementation of the understanding, while Israel continues its attacks on southern Lebanon and does not withdraw from the region.
A statement from the Khatam al-Anbiya headquarters, broadcast on Iranian state television, explained that closing the strait represents “the first step” in response to what it described as Washington’s failure to abide by its commitments, warning of further steps if what it called “aggression” continues.
In a later development, the Fars News Agency quoted a source in the Revolutionary Guard Navy as saying that “the Strait of Hormuz has been completely closed,” while the Revolutionary Guard Navy announced that the closure of the strait came “because of the Zionist entity’s crimes in Lebanon and America’s violation of its commitments regarding the ceasefire,” calling on ships not to approach the area, and warning that their security would be at risk.
In contrast, the US military announced that the Strait of Hormuz remains open to the passage of ships, following Iranian statements regarding its closure, stressing that commercial shipping traffic through it has increased recently.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM), via its “X” platform, said that the strait remains open, explaining that “safe passage has been maintained in international waterways.”
She added that 55 commercial vessels crossed the strait on Saturday, carrying large quantities of goods and more than 17 million barrels of oil to global markets, noting that navigation continued normally and without obstacles.
CENTCOM had previously stressed in statements the continued state of "vigilance" of US forces in the region and monitoring of developments related to international energy and shipping lanes.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry had previously confirmed the implementation of the clauses related to ending the naval blockade and reopening the Strait of Hormuz in accordance with the memorandum of understanding, but it considered that violating the rest of the clauses, especially those related to stopping Israeli attacks on Lebanon, threatens the entire agreement.
On June 14, Iran and the United States announced a 14-point understanding, brokered by Pakistan, aimed at ending the war and resolving their differences through dialogue and negotiations. The memorandum of understanding, known as the Islamabad Memorandum, entered into force on June 18 after being signed electronically by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and US President Donald Trump.
The understanding includes provisions relating to ending the war , including in Lebanon, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and lifting the naval blockade imposed on Iran, with negotiations to begin later, lasting 60 days, to reach a final agreement on the Iranian nuclear program and the lifting of sanctions.
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