The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said in the early hours of Saturday that it had neutralised all attempts by Iran to strike commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
In a post on X, CENTCOM stated that the critical trade chokepoint remains open for navigation. “Iran launched multiple one-way attack drones in an attempt to strike commercial ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
U.S. forces have shot down all of them in recent hours, and traffic through the strait continues unimpeded. The international trade corridor remains open for transit,” the statement said.
Amid a rapidly evolving situation in West Asia and the Gulf region, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Friday, according to Iran’s state broadcaster Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), that a memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran would address a range of issues, including Tehran’s nuclear programme, sanctions relief, and the status of the Strait of Hormuz.
Araghchi further stated that the Strait of Hormuz remains under the sovereignty of Iran and Oman, adding that “the future of the Strait of Hormuz will not be like the past,” and indicated that Iran and Oman would soon issue a joint statement on its management.
According to IRIB, Araghchi said the agreement consists of two stages, and that the nuclear issue was not discussed in the first stage and has been deferred to the second phase. He added that if the provisions of the memorandum of understanding are not met, a final agreement will not be signed. “The first thing mentioned in the agreement is that the US naval blockade be lifted,” Araghchi said.
“According to international law, it is not possible to collect tolls from the Strait of Hormuz, but service fees will be collected. Paying compensation to Iran is also planned,” IRIB quoted the Iranian Foreign Minister as saying.
