Washington claims Hormuz as NATO states discuss a passage plan
Trump says the strait is American territory as NATO facilitates passage talks, while Pezeshkian calls for the war to end now after the truce expired.
Geopolitics··Midday
The US blockade reached the routes of 68 commercial vessels
Donald Trump told a rally in South Carolina on Friday that he now views the Strait of Hormuz as American territory. US Central Command said American forces had redirected 68 commercial vessels to comply with the blockade of Iranian ports and shipping. Iran's deputy foreign minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, dismissed the remarks as delusions. The channel between Iran and Oman normally carries roughly one fifth of the world's seaborne oil. As the war approaches its sixth month, Washington says it is restricting Iran's access to the strait to squeeze the country's oil income.[1]
NATO facilitates a 12-country plan without taking command
NATO's Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe brought chiefs of defence together by video to discuss possible contributions to freedom of navigation in Hormuz. A spokesperson for NATO's top commander stressed that the meeting did not create an alliance mission and that the headquarters was acting as a facilitator. Al-Monitor reported that France and Britain are trying to assemble a coalition of about 12 countries to secure passage after tensions ease or the war ends. The report says any durable arrangement would require Iran's consent; Tehran is restricting shipping as Washington says it is blockading Iranian ports.[2]
Pezeshkian called for an end to the war after the truce expired
In remarks carried by Iran's state news agency IRNA, President Masoud Pezeshkian said it would be better for the conflict with the United States to end now and claimed Iran was negotiating from a position of strength. The partial truce agreed in June expired on Monday without renewal. Pezeshkian defended the 15-point memorandum signed with Washington and said the other side carried the outstanding obligations. At the same time, an Iranian military commander threatened a severe response if Washington increased economic pressure. Pezeshkian's words reached the public through state media rather than a published speech text.[3]
