Iran's Foreign Ministry has reiterated that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the United States meets Tehran's demands to end the ongoing war. According to a statement from the Foreign Ministry on Monday, ships transiting through the narrow waterway will be expected to pay a fee for passage. Iranian media cited spokesperson Esmail Baghaei as saying that Iran is coordinating with Oman on this matter.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime route through which approximately 20% of the world's oil passed before the war. It also serves as a key route for gas and fertilizer shipments. The dispute over transit rights in the strait is considered a significant factor contributing to the continuation of the war against Iran.

Since both Iran and Oman claim the maximum 12 nautical miles allowed under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as their territorial waters, there are no international waters in the narrowest part of the roughly 21-nautical-mile-wide strait.

In related developments, the German government views US President Donald Trump's plan for Gaza as an opportunity to advance the disarmament of Hamas. A Foreign Ministry spokesperson commented on Monday that some disagreement was expected after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Israel's rejection of the US-led plan and stated that Israeli troops would not leave the Gaza Strip until Hamas had been "genuinely" disarmed.

President Trump expressed optimism that a satisfactory conclusion would eventually be reached, acknowledging the complexity of the situation and the many unanswered questions involved.

Sources