Iran seeks control of Strait of Hormuz in emerging Gulf deal

Iran has signalled it is willing to broker a settlement over the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, but only if it gains operational control through a registration system that would allow it to monitor all traffic through the waterway. A senior Iranian official stated the terms plainly: “We will maintain a registry that enables complete control,” suggesting Tehran views any agreement as an opportunity to expand its influence over one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes.

Donald Trump, who has been pushing for a quick resolution to regional tensions, initially demanded a deal be reached yesterday, but negotiations have stalled. A high-ranking Gulf official now estimates only a 50-50 chance of reaching an agreement by Friday, indicating significant hurdles remain. The talks appear to hinge on whether other parties will accept Iranian oversight of the strait, which sees roughly one-third of global maritime oil trade pass through it annually.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have not yet approved the emerging framework, suggesting internal divisions over any settlement terms. Meanwhile, Trump has taken a softer approach to pressure, withdrawing sanctions that had been imposed on aircraft and aviation companies with links to the Revolutionary Guards—a significant concession that suggests the United States may be willing to make trade-offs to secure a deal.

The proposed agreement would represent a major shift in Gulf dynamics if realised. However, Iranian insistence on maintaining control through a registry system has raised concerns among other regional powers and Western nations about Tehran’s intentions, with observers questioning whether the arrangement would genuinely ensure freedom of navigation or merely give Iran tools to restrict or monitor shipping at will.

Source: Ynet — Original article in Hebrew.