Iran's Army Demands Full Authority Over Strait of Hormuz Before Reopening, Issues Ultimatum to US

Iranian army says control of Strait of Hormuz must be brought under Iran's authority before it can be reopened, adding that the US must comply with terms of framework peace deal and halt hostile actionshttps://t.co/Limldl61PB News Analysis & Summary In a bold escalation of regional tensions, the Iranian army has declared that the strategic Strait of Hormuza chokepoint for nearly a third of the world's seaborne oilwill remain under its exclusive control and cannot be reopened until Iran's authority is fully recognized. The statement, published via state-affiliated channels, further insists that the United States must adhere to the terms of a previously agreed framework peace deal and immediately cease all 'hostile actions,' including sanctions and naval patrols in the Persian Gulf. This demand marks a significant hardening of Tehran's position, effectively linking freedom of navigation to political concessions and a complete US strategic retreat. From my perspective, this is less about maritime law and more about leveraging global energy security to extract geopolitical leverage. While Iran has legitimate security concerns, unilaterally asserting sovereignty over an international waterway risks miscalculation and conflict. A more prudent approach would involve multilateral negotiations under UNCLOS rather than unilateral ultimatums that could disrupt global oil markets and provoke a military response. The path forward demands careful diplomacy, not brinkmanship. Source: @trtworld on X/TwitterPublic Engagement Views: 2,089 Likes: 4 Shares: 3 Published: July 15, 2026, 11:45 pm