Is the Strait of Hormuz Reopening? Not So Simple

On the issue of the Strait of Hormuz potentially reopening, Iran and Trump have launched another round of rhetorical warfare.

Here's the situation: On the 17th, Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi announced that commercial vessels would be allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz—but with important conditions. Iran’s resumption of navigation is conditional: the Strait will only be open during the period when the ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel takes effect; ships must coordinate in advance with the Revolutionary Guard, follow designated routes, and military vessels remain prohibited from passing; furthermore, vessels and their cargo must have no connection whatsoever with "hostile states."

However, predictably, Trump ignored these conditions entirely. After Araghchi announced the temporary resumption of maritime passage, Trump immediately posted multiple tweets making sweeping demands, claiming that Iran had pledged not to block the strait again, was actively clearing all mines, that the Strait of Hormuz was fully operational once more, that Iran’s opening of the strait was unrelated to the Lebanon-Israel ceasefire, and that the U.S. would not lift sanctions against Iran.

Iran was enraged by Trump’s baseless escalation. Iran’s Parliament Speaker, Larijani (Note: corrected to Karimi or possibly misstated as Kalibaf—common confusion in reporting), criticized Trump’s tweets as false and warned that if the U.S. did not lift its blockade, the Strait of Hormuz would close again.

In fact, this is not the first time Trump has angered Iran with reckless statements, nearly unraveling a delicate détente that both sides had painstakingly built.

Nevertheless, despite Trump’s exaggerated claims, judging from the conditions Iran has publicly set, he likely tacitly acknowledges the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ authority over the strait—these conditions essentially mean the Revolutionary Guard continues to oversee and control navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Whether this control will eventually evolve into actual toll collection remains to be seen.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1862792463815683/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.