Iran says US violated Hormuz deal to undermine Tehran's authority

Article 5 obligations

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the United States on Saturday of violating the post-war memorandum of understanding governing the Strait of Hormuz, charging that Washington opened an alternative shipping corridor to erode Tehran's authority over the strategic waterway before the agreed implementation period had expired. In an interview with the state-run Iran newspaper, Araghchi rejected criticism that Article 5 was ambiguous, stating that the provision clearly assigns Iran responsibility for restoring navigation — including determining shipping routes and conducting mine-clearing operations — within one month, after which Iran and Oman are to negotiate a long-term framework for managing the waterway.

'No goodwill' from Washington

Araghchi said the US-designated southern route was introduced approximately 10 days after the strait reopened — despite two weeks remaining before the one-month deadline expired — and that Tehran repeatedly warned Washington through the direct communication line established following Swiss talks as well as through Qatari and Pakistani mediators. "When Article 5 says Iran will make the arrangements, it means Iran determines the route and the necessary mechanism," he said. "If the Americans believed another corridor should be added or removed, they should have consulted Iran."

The foreign minister said maritime communications showed vessels were encouraged to avoid Tehran's designated route in favor of the US-backed corridor, which he said posed greater navigational risks despite being slower. "We saw no goodwill in America's behavior," Araghchi said. "In the end, regardless of their intentions, it was the United States that violated the agreement."

Post-war regional landscape

Addressing regional relations following the 40-day war, Araghchi acknowledged lingering tensions but said he believed Arab states increasingly recognize that security must be achieved collectively rather than through reliance on foreign military powers. Commenting on Yemen, he reiterated that there is no military solution to the crisis and urged dialogue between Sanaa and Riyadh, stating that Tehran stands ready to play a constructive mediating role. Regional tensions escalated after US President Donald Trump announced on July 8 that the ceasefire outlined in the Islamabad MoU was no longer in effect, prompting exchanges of strikes between Washington and Tehran.