Fighting flared in the Persian Gulf over the weekend after the US and Oman challenged Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz.
On Wednesday, Oman announced a new shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz that bypassed the Iranian shipping lane. Tehran viewed the move as a violation of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) that Iran signed with the US earlier this month.
The MOU set the framework for peace negotiations between the US and Iran. Tehran says any agreement to end the conflict must recognize Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz. In response to the Omani shipping lane, Iran attacked and damaged two cargo ships.
On Friday, the US bombed Iranian targets, provoking Tehran to target several US bases in the region. The increased fighting risks breaking the fragile ceasefire and halting peace talks.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday that control of the Strait “rests solely with the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
Last week, Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with the Foreign Minister of the Gulf Cooperation Council states. A statement following the meeting said that the countries agreed that Iran would not be allowed to tax shipping through the Strait.
Arahchi said that the US’s attempt to negotiate side agreements will delay the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. “Any interference in this matter, any attempt to establish new or separate arrangements from those currently being carried out by the Islamic Republic of Iran, will only lead to further complications, delay the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and increase the level of tension,” he explained.
