Iran insists on right to control shipping in Strait of Hormuz after ship hit near Oman

Iran Reasserts Authority Over Strait of Hormuz After Vessel Incident Near Oman

DUBAI/LONDON, June 26 (Reuters) — Iran on Friday reaffirmed its position that it holds authority over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and cautioned Gulf states against aligning with the United States, one day after an incident involving a vessel near Oman. The statement followed a joint U.S.-Gulf declaration that rejected Iranian plans to impose transit fees on ships passing through the waterway.

Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi wrote on X that safe passage through the strait cannot be assured without arrangements that account for Iran’s status as a coastal state. Tehran described the U.S. and Gulf statement as interventionist and provocative. The Iranian foreign ministry added that the U.S. military presence in the Gulf contributes to regional insecurity and that management of the strait should rest with Iran and Oman under the terms of the interim agreement reached the previous week.

Oil prices declined on Friday amid differing readings of that agreement and reduced vessel traffic. The strait normally carries about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. Saudi Aramco resumed loadings at its Ras Tanura terminal after a nearly four-month suspension, according to shipping data.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, concluding a regional tour, told reporters that any Iranian threat to block shipping would create difficulties. The joint statement issued with the Gulf Cooperation Council called for unrestricted navigation without tolls or assertions of unilateral control and said a durable settlement must address Iran’s ballistic missiles, drones, and ties to armed groups.

Iran’s foreign ministry warned against continued hostile policies in the region. Tehran established effective oversight of the waterway following U.S.-Israeli strikes on February 28 that initiated the conflict and interrupted oil movements.

Taiwan’s Evergreen Marine reported that its Singapore-flagged vessel Ever Lovely was struck by an unidentified object on Thursday while following a route advised by the British navy agency UKMTO. No injuries occurred, and the ship continued its voyage. Two U.S. officials said Iran had fired on the vessel. Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority stated that travel on unauthorized routes falls under the responsibility of the owner, operator, and vessel commander. The U.S. government offered no immediate comment. President Donald Trump had previously indicated that failure to implement the interim deal, including reopening the strait, could lead to renewed U.S. strikes.

Separate points of disagreement remain over financial provisions, nuclear inspections, and Israel’s operations in Lebanon. The framework agreement provides for 60 days of further negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program. In the United States, the conflict has become a factor ahead of November midterm elections. The International Maritime Organization suspended its escort operations through the strait after the Oman incident. Earlier in the week, the IMO and Oman had introduced a southern route intended to allow passage for vessels delayed by the conflict; Iran objected to the measure.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said three South Korean ships would depart the strait over the weekend. South Korea’s Oceans Ministry reported that eight additional South Korean vessels had already exited. Two Very Large Crude Carriers operated by Saudi Arabia’s Bahri were observed loading at Ras Tanura, with another positioned nearby. Each vessel can carry roughly 2 million barrels. Ras Tanura lies on Saudi Arabia’s eastern Gulf coast west of the strait and previously exported more than 5 million barrels per day before the conflict began.

Additional reporting by Gram Slattery in Manama; writing by Gareth Jones; editing by Aidan Lewis.