Iran Refuses to Cede Hormuz Control in US Peace Deal, Tehran Media Says

Iran has stated that it will not relinquish control of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz under any proposed peace agreement with the United States until the ongoing conflict is formally declared over. Iranian state-linked media reports said recent speculation in Western outlets regarding Tehran surrendering authority over the vital maritime passage was inaccurate. Officials emphasized that the reopening and normalisation of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz after the end of hostilities is the only matter addressed in the reported memorandum of understanding.

According to Iran's official media, the primary objective of the proposed memorandum is to establish a framework for ending the conflict across all fronts and creating conditions for future peace negotiations. The reports stressed that the agreement does not involve any commitment by Iran to transfer control of the waterway, which remains one of the world's most important energy transit routes. The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf to global shipping lanes and plays a critical role in international oil and gas exports.

The latest statements come amid conflicting claims regarding the status of negotiations between Washington and Tehran. While US President Donald Trump reportedly suggested that Iran had accepted a prepared agreement, Iranian media outlets quoted informed sources denying that any draft deal or preliminary memorandum had been formally approved. Reports published by Fars News Agency said Tehran had not authorised any final text, contradicting claims that a settlement document had already been agreed upon by both sides.

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Iran's state-run IRNA news agency reported that the proposed memorandum prioritises the signing of a framework agreement and the establishment of a 60-day timetable for peace talks. According to the report, the document does not contain any binding commitments related to Iran's nuclear programme. It also stated that the United States has not committed to lifting sanctions as part of the memorandum, indicating that major issues between the two countries remain unresolved despite ongoing diplomatic efforts.

Senior Iranian military officials have also reiterated the country's control over the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters. Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, deputy coordinator of the Iranian Army, said Iran maintains full authority over the Persian Gulf and the strategic waterway. He asserted that the country's naval forces continue to exercise effective control in the region and rejected claims that Iran's maritime capabilities had been significantly weakened during the conflict.

The developments highlight the continuing uncertainty surrounding US-Iran negotiations and the broader security situation in the Gulf region. With both sides presenting differing accounts of the status of talks, questions remain over the prospects for a formal ceasefire and long-term settlement. Analysts note that the future of the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of global energy supplies passes, will remain a key issue in any eventual agreement aimed at ending the conflict and restoring regional stability.

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