Major European countries have acknowledged that charges related to the Strait of Hormuz are unavoidable, marking a significant shift in the international response to the ongoing tensions surrounding the critical waterway. This development comes as Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, Kazem Gharibabadi, declared that the Strait of Hormuz is under Tehran's command, directly challenging a US-led security summit in Bahrain. Gharibabadi rejected the summit's legitimacy, asserting that the waterway is defined by Iranian command rather than the US Central Command (CENTCOM), and called for an end to US intervention to ensure regional security.

Regional Security and Shipping Volumes

The CENTCOM summit, hosted by Bahrain, was attended by senior military officials from across the region, including Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. The summit focused on the flow of commerce through the strategic waterway. Despite the tensions, a report by Bloomberg cited an unnamed US official stating that ships are passing through the Strait of Hormuz with the assistance of the US military. The official noted that oil shipments had surged to over 10 million barrels per day. Over the weekend, a tanker was hit in the Strait, and Bahrain reported that its territory was targeted by Iranian drones, characterizing the action as a violation of sovereignty.

Diplomatic Channels and Domestic Politics

Iran has rejected direct talks with the US, with communication expected to proceed through Qatari mediators. Jared Kushner and US envoy Steve Witkoff have been designated to engage with Iran through this channel. Domestically, US President Donald Trump is facing backlash from Democrats regarding a Qatar-gifted $400 million Boeing 747 jet, which replaced Air Force One. Gharibabadi emphasized that the US must accept new geopolitical realities in the region, arguing that security cannot be maintained solely under a military umbrella.

President Donald Trump confirmed that 19 million barrels of oil flowed out of the Strait of Hormuz, directly countering Iran's military claim that the strategic waterway had been closed. The statement reinforces the U.S. position that oil shipments remain uninterrupted despite escalating tensions surrounding ongoing nuclear negotiations. The Strait of Hormuz handles nearly 20% of global oil and gas shipments, making any disruption a critical concern for global energy markets.

Trump Floats US Toll As Leverage In Stalled Talks

Trump also warned that the United States may impose tolls in the Strait of Hormuz if the Iran peace deal collapses. In a statement on Truth Social, Trump specified there would be "NO TOLLS" in the strategic waterway for 60 days, "unless they are imposed by and for the United States of America, should the deal not be completed." He framed any potential future charges as reimbursement for U.S. forces acting as a "Guardian Angel" to the region. The warning comes as U.S. and Iranian delegations, including Vice President JD Vance, prepare for talks in Switzerland to negotiate terms beyond the interim memorandum. Iran's semi-official Fars News Agency reported a revision granting Iran and Oman authority over future maritime administration in the strait, leaving open the possibility that tolls could resume after the initial 60-day period.

Strait Closure Claim Adds Fresh Uncertainty

Tensions escalated after Iran's military announced it had closed the strait, citing Israeli strikes in Lebanon that allegedly breached the ceasefire. U.S. Central Command denied the closure, stating that 55 merchant ships transited the strait safely, carrying more than 17 million barrels of oil. Trump's latest update raised that figure to 19 million barrels, further reinforcing the U.S. denial of any operational disruption. The conflicting claims regarding the status of the waterway and its administration highlight the fragility of the current negotiations.

The following table summarizes the key parameters surrounding the Strait of Hormuz dispute: