Why Iran insists on controlling the Strait of Hormuz

The memorandum of understanding (MoU), signed by the U.S. and Iran on June 17, promising to extend the ceasefire and launch talks on Iran’s nuclear programme and Western sanctions, is falling apart. U.S. President Donald Trump has declared that the “ceasefire is over”. According to Tehran, parts of the MoU have been rendered “ineffective” by American actions. Both sides have accused each other of violating the MoU.

The U.S. has carried out air strikes on hundreds of targets across Iran, while Tehran has retaliated by attacking U.S. bases in several Persian Gulf countries as well as Jordan. At the heart of the renewed violence lies a dispute over Article 5 of the MoU, which requires Iran to “make arrangements” for the “safe passage of commercial vessels” through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has designated a new shipping route along its coast, while the U.S. Navy has cleared an alternative route along Oman’s coast. Iran sees this move as a violation of the clause by the U.S.