A senior U.S. official said reports claiming Iran is controlling traffic in the Strait of Hormuz as part of a possible deal are inaccurate.
This denial comes at a critical moment for maritime security in the Persian Gulf. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital global oil artery, and any perceived shift in control or stability can trigger immediate volatility in international energy markets.
The official said these clarifications to Al Jazeera Arabic on July 10 [1]. The statement was intended to counter misinformation regarding the current state of negotiations between Washington and Tehran, specifically denying that Iran is exercising control over maritime traffic as part of any negotiation framework [1].
These diplomatic tensions follow a series of escalations in the region. On July 9, a U.S. Treasury Department spokesperson said the United States cancelled the temporary lift of oil sanctions on Iran [3]. This decision followed attacks on three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz [3].
Despite the return of sanctions and the recent maritime incidents, the U.S. maintains that communication channels remain open. A U.S. Central Command official said via X that Washington remains committed to finding a solution with Tehran and technical talks are continuing [2].
Regional reports had suggested a different dynamic, with some sources implying that Iran was managing transit as a concession or part of a broader agreement. However, the U.S. government has explicitly rejected that narrative, asserting that no such coordinated control exists [1].
“"The reports that Iran is controlling traffic in the Strait of Hormuz as part of a possible deal are inaccurate."”
The U.S. is attempting to maintain a dual-track strategy: applying economic pressure through the reinstatement of oil sanctions while keeping technical diplomatic channels open. By publicly denying that Iran has gained control over the Strait of Hormuz, Washington seeks to prevent the perception that Tehran is leveraging maritime transit as a successful bargaining chip in negotiations.
