The United States and Iran engaged in armed clashes following conflicting interpretations of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Article 5 regarding control of the Strait of Hormuz, according to a Wall Street Journal (WSJ) report on July 9 (local time). A US official told WSJ that the two nations hold 'completely different interpretations' of the article, which requires Iran to take measures for safe commercial vessel passage and normalize transit within 30 days by removing technical, military obstacles and mines. The dispute centers on whether the agreement grants Iran operational authority over the strait or simply mandates its reopening, with Iran's hardliners asserting control rights while the US and Gulf Arab allies reject Iranian dominance over the waterway.
MOU Article 5 Triggers US-Iran Interpretation Dispute
MOU Article 5 states that Iran shall take necessary measures for safe passage of commercial vessels and normalize transit within 30 days by removing technical and military obstacles and mines, according to WSJ. The article also directs Iran to discuss future management and maritime services of the Strait of Hormuz with Oman. The United States interprets this as an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, leading the US and Gulf Arab allies to reject Iranian control claims. Iranian hardliners, who view strait control as a key leverage point in negotiations with the US, maintain that Iran holds operational authority over the waterway, WSJ reported. The agreement does not explicitly state that the US will take measures to ensure safe vessel passage.
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran's parliament speaker and Iranian negotiating representative, stated via social media that the Strait of Hormuz can only be opened by Iranian measures, not US threats. This statement emphasizes Iran's interpretation that it holds management authority over the strait. WSJ reported that Iran's Revolutionary Guard strongly demanded the inclusion of future strait management provisions in the agreement and subsequently pressured the Iranian government to interpret control rights as broadly as possible.
Iran Establishes Persian Gulf Strait Authority for Toll Collection
Iran prepared a system for vessel passage permits and fee collection, according to WSJ. The country established an organization called the Persian Gulf Strait Authority to create a framework for collecting tolls from vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Documents confirmed that vessels must purchase Iran-approved insurance and may face future charges, WSJ reported.
Commercial Vessels Face Drone and Missile Attacks on Southern Route
The United States and Gulf countries promoted use of a southern route near the Oman coast instead of the northern route near the Iranian coast in response to Iranian control assertions. The US Navy provided undisclosed support for vessels using this route, resulting in Persian Gulf oil exports recovering to 9.5 million barrels per day earlier this week, WSJ reported. As the Oman route showed success, Iranian hardliner opposition intensified. Iran launched drone and missile attacks on commercial vessels using the southern route in recent weeks, which led to US retaliatory airstrikes.
Experts Cite Structural Flaws in Trump Administration Agreement
Experts point out that this situation reveals structural limitations inherent in the Trump administration's interim agreement. Raz Zimmt, Iran director at Israel's Institute for National Security Studies, stated that 'if there had been basic trust between the two sides or agreed mechanisms to resolve disputes, such interpretive differences could have been managed.' Eric Brewer, former senior Iran analyst at US intelligence agencies, noted that 'the flaw in the MOU appears to be not so much that it avoided the nuclear issue, but that it seemed to merely paper over significant disagreements between the US and Iran on the core agenda items—ceasefire, the status of the strait, sanctions relief—that the agreement was meant to address.'
FAQ
What does MOU Article 5 require Iran to do regarding the Strait of Hormuz?
MOU Article 5 requires Iran to take necessary measures for safe passage of commercial vessels, remove technical and military obstacles and mines, and normalize transit within 30 days. The article also directs Iran to discuss future management and maritime services of the strait with Oman.
How did the US and Iran interpret MOU Article 5 differently?
The United States interprets MOU Article 5 as an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, while Iranian hardliners maintain that Iran holds operational authority over the waterway. The US and Gulf Arab allies reject Iranian control claims, whereas Iran's Revolutionary Guard pushed for the broadest possible interpretation of control rights.
What measures did Iran take to assert control over the Strait of Hormuz?
Iran established the Persian Gulf Strait Authority to collect tolls from vessels passing through the strait. The country prepared a system requiring vessels to purchase Iran-approved insurance, with documents confirming that future charges may apply. Iran also launched drone and missile attacks on commercial vessels using the southern route near the Oman coast in recent weeks.
