Iran has stated that even if, under a provisional agreement with the United States, it reopens the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments, it will continue to retain management authority over the strait. This is interpreted as meaning that it does not intend to relinquish control of the strait even after negotiations to end the war.

The state-run IRNA reported on the 12th (local time), while presenting major points of a draft memorandum of understanding (MOU) on ending the war that is in final coordination with the United States, that “Iran has made no promise in the document to hand over management authority of the strait or to restore the situation that existed before U.S. and Israeli military attacks.”

This is understood to mean that, even if the Strait of Hormuz is reopened under an agreement with the United States, Iran will not allow unconditional freedom of navigation as before the war, and that it will continue to exercise final authority over the conditions for passage and the management system.

An earlier draft MOU between the United States and Iran released by the semi-official Mehr News Agency also stated that the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened within 30 days “in a manner determined by Iran.”

However, the document is still at the draft stage under review by Iranian decision-making bodies and is reportedly not yet finalized. The U.S. side has also not issued an official position on whether Iran will retain management authority over the strait.