US Says Any Change In Hormuz Status Quo Would Violate Agreement With Iran

The United States has reportedly warned Iran that it will not accept any attempt to alter the current status of the Strait of Hormuz, saying such a move would constitute a breach of the existing agreement between the two countries. The warning comes as Washington and Tehran continue indirect diplomatic engagement following the implementation of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at maintaining stability after their recent conflict.

According to a report by Al Arabiya, citing unnamed sources, the US views Iran's conduct in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz as the first major test of Tehran's commitment to the agreement. The report said Washington has made it clear that preserving the current status quo in the waterway is a key expectation under the understanding reached between the two sides.

The reported warning coincided with the conclusion of another round of indirect talks between US and Iranian delegations in Doha. Qatar announced that the discussions ended with "positive progress" on implementing the memorandum of understanding. The negotiations were aimed at advancing mechanisms to ensure compliance with the agreement that brought an end to hostilities between the two countries.

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According to the report, the United States has also linked future progress on unfreezing Iranian funds to Tehran's adherence to the terms of the agreement. Sources cited by Al Arabiya said any movement on financial measures would depend on Iran fully complying with its commitments, including maintaining stability in the Strait of Hormuz and avoiding actions that could undermine the accord.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi confirmed that the latest round of indirect talks had concluded and said both sides had agreed to establish a communication channel to report and document any alleged violations of the memorandum of understanding. The mechanism is expected to facilitate dialogue and reduce the risk of misunderstandings as implementation of the agreement moves forward. The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world's most strategically significant maritime routes, carrying a substantial share of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.

Any disruption to navigation through the narrow waterway has the potential to affect international energy markets and regional security. The latest diplomatic exchanges suggest that both Washington and Tehran are seeking to preserve the fragile agreement while addressing contentious issues through indirect negotiations, even as mutual trust remains limited and the implementation of the MoU continues to be closely watched by the international community.

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