Hormuz Strait Emerges as Key Flashpoint in U.S.-Iran Talks Despite Ceasefire

The future of the Strait of Hormuz has emerged as one of the most contentious issues in negotiations between Iran and the United States, with Tehran warning against any foreign military presence in the strategic waterway even as both sides pursue a political settlement following their recent conflict.

Iranian officials said the strait, through which a significant share of global oil shipments passes, should remain under the responsibility of regional states and cautioned that any attempt to militarize the area would carry consequences.

Iran's deputy foreign minister for legal affairs said the Strait of Hormuz "is not a stage for military displays by non-regional forces," adding that the littoral states bear responsibility for ensuring its security.

"As the country responsible for safeguarding security in the Strait of Hormuz, we warn against any military movement there," the official said, according to Iranian state media, adding that any party seeking to provoke tensions "will bear the consequences of its actions."

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said regional security should be achieved through cooperation among countries in the region rather than through external intervention, describing Tehran's diplomacy as a balance between principles and political realism.

Araghchi's remarks came as U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran was eager to reach a settlement with Washington and was pursuing a political resolution. Trump also said the United States had granted Iran a one-week pause in military operations to allow funeral ceremonies for Iran's late supreme leader.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the memorandum of understanding reached with the United States could create opportunities to expand economic cooperation with friendly countries.

Meanwhile, the The New York Times reported that a letter from Iran's central bank governor persuaded Mojtaba Khamenei to approve the memorandum after warning that food and medicine supplies could run out by the end of August if U.S. sanctions and the blockade continued.

Iran also maintained a firm security posture. The acting defense minister said Tehran would respond to any violation of the ceasefire, according to Iranian state television, while the intelligence ministry pledged to drive what it described as U.S. and Israeli influence from the region and vowed retaliation for those killed during the conflict.

The strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz also drew international attention.

Dmitry Medvedev said the strait had become a strategic asset for Iran "as powerful as a nuclear weapon," according to Russia's state news agencies. He said the U.S.-Iran memorandum provided a basis for future negotiations but predicted that reaching a comprehensive agreement would be highly complicated because of persistent disagreements over sanctions relief, reconstruction funding and other issues.

Meanwhile, France and Britain issued a joint statement describing the Strait of Hormuz as a vital artery for the global economy and stressing that ensuring the safe passage of commercial vessels is a matter of international importance.

The statement said Oman had agreed to cooperate with both countries to safeguard navigation within its territorial waters. Paris and London also said they were prepared to support a multinational military mission aimed at protecting freedom of navigation while respecting the sovereignty of regional states and promoting regional stability.

The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, remains one of the world's most strategically important maritime chokepoints, carrying a substantial portion of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas exports. Any disruption to shipping through the waterway is closely watched by energy markets and governments worldwide.