Iran: Free Hormuz passage only for 60 days under US deal

Iran’s Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said on Tuesday that free passage through the Strait of Hormuz is “only for 60 days” under a recent memorandum of understanding with the United States. He declared that “Iran will under no circumstances relinquish its rights in the Strait of Hormuz,” in a televised interview posted on his Telegram channel.

Violations and readiness

Regarding the recent tit‑for‑tat attacks with the US, Qalibaf said Tehran considers those events as “a violation of the agreement to end the war.” He added that Iran targeted US bases in Bahrain and Kuwait in response to the latest ceasefire breach. “This process shows that we are serious about implementing the memorandum; we are both engaged in dialogue, and if they do not fulfil their commitments in the talks, we are ready for war,” he warned.

Assets and oil exports

Qalibaf stated that under the memorandum, out of $24 billion in Iranian assets held abroad, $12 billion will be made available to the central bank to purchase goods in any currency. He also claimed that oil‑related sanctions have been lifted, with Iran selling oil “20% more expensively” and having exported more than 40 million barrels since the naval blockade was lifted. For Türkiye, which relies on energy imports and has offered to assist with mine‑clearing, Qalibaf’s warning underscores the fragility of the peace process and the risk of renewed conflict if the memorandum’s provisions are not fully honoured.