Iran announced on Monday that it is attempting to establish a collaborative framework with Oman to oversee the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime passage. However, Tehran claims that US pressure on Muscat has obstructed these efforts. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei stated that while Iran aims to reach an agreement with Oman regarding the vital waterway, Washington’s influence has slowed the process.
Baghaei also emphasized that Iran will not fulfill its obligations under the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the United States unless the US reciprocates by meeting its commitments. He underscored that Tehran’s adherence to the agreement depends on Washington’s compliance, and Iran will withhold its commitments if the US fails to act accordingly.
In a significant development over the weekend, US and Iranian forces exchanged intense missile and drone attacks. Tehran targeted US facilities across Gulf states and declared the Strait of Hormuz closed once again, causing oil prices to surge. The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) reported on Monday that they struck US military installations in Bahrain and Kuwait, destroyed radar systems in Oman, and attacked fuel tanks and ammunition depots at Prince Hassan Air Base in Jordan as part of their latest retaliation against US strikes.
This series of attacks and counterattacks reflects Iran’s ongoing efforts to assert control over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Notably, the recent barrage marked an escalation in both the frequency and geographic scope of the conflict. The US military responded by targeting Iranian air-defense systems, coastal radar sites, missile and drone capabilities, and small boats using aircraft, naval vessels, and drones during operations on Sunday.
The renewed hostilities cast doubt on the future of the interim US-Iran agreement signed last month, which aimed to reopen the strait and end hostilities following an additional 60 days of negotiations. US President Donald Trump, in a brief phone interview on Sunday, referred to the weekend’s strikes by stating, “We’re beating them up.” Over the past week, Trump has indicated that he considers the ceasefire over while still leaving open the possibility of further talks.
Meanwhile, Iran’s chief negotiator Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf posted on social media that the era of one-sided agreements is over, warning the US to honor its commitments or face consequences. The conflict, which began with US and Israeli actions against Iran on February 28, has destabilized the Gulf region, with Iran striking US bases in multiple countries. Tehran’s effective blockade of the strait has driven up energy prices and contributed to global inflation.
The IRGC stated that the only way to restore normal shipping traffic through the strait is to end US military interventions in the area. They warned that continued interference could trigger more serious incidents affecting the global oil and gas sector. On Monday, Brent crude oil prices rose 4.3% to $79.31 per barrel, though prices remained below earlier peaks seen during the conflict. Rising fuel costs are politically sensitive for President Trump ahead of the November congressional elections.
US officials reported that approximately 20 vessels were escorted through the strait in the previous 24 hours, although ship tracking data indicated limited maritime traffic. Iran has sought to implement a permanent fee collection system for vessels passing through the strait, which previously handled one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments before the conflict. Tehran has warned ships not to navigate the waterway without its authorization.
Late Saturday, Iran declared the strait closed after firing a warning shot that struck a vessel on an unauthorized route. On Sunday, Iran disabled a second vessel. The newly established Persian Gulf Strait Authority announced that passage through the strait was currently impossible due to “recent illegal movements of the United States military forces in the region,” adding that permits would be issued once stability and calm were restored.
The US, which revoked a license waiving sanctions on Iranian crude sales following earlier attacks on shipping, stated that its forces remain positioned to protect freedom of navigation despite what it described as Iran’s aggression, harassment, threats, and arbitrary declarations. The US Navy-led Joint Maritime Information Center reiterated that despite significant security threats, an expanded southern route near Oman remains open for two-way maritime traffic.
On Saturday, US Central Command announced that US forces had struck 140 Iranian military targets, with over 300 targets hit over three nights this week to degrade Iran’s ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial vessels transiting the strait. The IRGC reported destroying a command-and-control center and drone hangars in Jordan, targeting a US radar site and rocket launcher systems in Kuwait, attacking US aircraft carrier support and refueling platforms in Oman, and destroying a jet maintenance center and command facility in Qatar.
