People gather on a beach as a vessel navigates through the Strait of Hormuz, near Bandar Abbas, Iran, on May 31, 2026. — Reuters
– Tehran is unlikely to shift its stance on the Hormuz dispute, according to a source.
– Iranian President emphasizes that Tehran does not aim for a broader conflict.
– The Strait of Hormuz remains a primary point of contention between the U.S. and Iran.
Iran is seeking to oversee inbound maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and monitor outbound shipments, with plans to intervene if necessary. These discussions involve Oman, aiming to reopen the strategic waterway. A senior Iranian official told Reuters that the current proposal involves Iran managing inbound ships, while outbound vessels would travel through a route between Iran and Oman, with exit clearances granted by Oman after notifying Iran.
Tehran appears steadfast in its position, the source added. In late July, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi rejected Omani suggestions for an equal division of transit rights, asserting that such proposals fail to address Iran’s security concerns until regional stability is achieved.
Control over the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway bridging the Gulf and the Indian Ocean, is crucial since it handles about a fifth of global oil shipments and other vital goods. The dispute over maritime jurisdiction has been a significant obstacle in resolving the ongoing US-Israel efforts to pressure Iran, with the strait largely blockade since the conflict intensified in late February.
The status of negotiations between the U.S. and Iran remains uncertain. An attack on a vessel near the Strait of Hormuz and rising oil prices have cast doubt on prospects for a quick resolution. Oil prices climbed nearly 3% after a significant decline the previous day, as market participants reassessed diplomatic hopes. A cargo ship was struck by an unknown projectile near Oman’s coast, reported the UK Maritime Trade Organization.
While President Donald Trump claimed that talks with Tehran were ongoing and described it as Iran’s “last chance” to reach an agreement, Iranian officials denied any negotiations were happening. Trump’s recent decision to cancel planned military strikes on Iran, which he suggested were ‘massive attacks,’ reflects a pattern of threatening military action and then stepping back to pursue diplomatic efforts.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that Iran has no desire to escalate the conflict, emphasizing, “We defend our borders, but we are not seeking to expand the war.” Meanwhile, Iran has suspended most traffic through Hormuz, while the U.S. maintains sanctions and a maritime blockade.
Sources indicated that the vessel hit near Hormuz was a dry bulk cargo ship. Its crew abandoned the vessel, and one crew member remains missing.
Since the launch of “Operation Epic Fury” over five months ago, the U.S. has repeatedly threatened military action, only to later cite negotiations as the reason to scale back. Iran, on the other hand, has refused to engage in negotiations following the breakdown of a proposed agreement in early July, which was initially signed to de-escalate tensions.
The core dispute over the Strait of Hormuz persists. While Washington insists the June memorandum mandated Iran reopen the waterway, Tehran maintains that the agreement explicitly preserves its authority over shipping traffic in the region.