A reason for the struggle to control the Strait of Hormuz is a poorly worded clause in the U.S.-Iran Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed on June 17.
The MOU’s fifth paragraph states: “Upon the signing of this MOU, the Islamic Republic of Iran will make arrangements using its best efforts for the safe passage of commercial vessels with no charge, for 60 days only, from the Persian Gulf to the Sea of Oman and vice versa.”
However, this language has triggered a fundamental disagreement between Washington and Tehran. Iran interprets it as granting de facto control over the strait, while U.S. allies and officials view it as an unacceptable transfer of authority.
Michael Horowitz, an Israeli geopolitical analyst, noted: “This gap in interpretation is wide, baked into the deal, and not exactly surprising. Washington has tried to convince Tehran that compliance would be more profitable, but this framing misses the point. Iran’s behavior isn’t driven by financial motives but by security concerns and bargaining leverage.”
After signing the MOU, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps pushed its civilian government toward a maximalist interpretation of control over the strait. Amjad Taha, an Emirati political strategist, stated: “Iran saw the deal as a recognition it was in control. Now countries in the region are paying the price.”
Eric Brewer, a former senior Iran analyst in the U.S. intelligence community, added: “The flaw of the MOU was not so much that it avoided the nuclear issue, but that it apparently papered over major differences between the U.S. and Iran on the key issues the agreement was intended to solve — the ceasefire, the status of the Strait, and sanctions relief.”
The speaker of Iran’s parliament declared: “The Strait of Hormuz will only open with ‘Iranian arrangements,’ not American threats.”
The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical global energy route. Pre-war daily traffic included approximately 20 million barrels of oil—20 percent of worldwide supply—with 80 percent destined for Asia. Recent data shows 41 ships passed through the strait on Tuesday, more than during recent conflict peaks but significantly below prewar levels.
