Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said free passage through the Strait of Hormuz under a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. is permitted for only 60 days [1].
The restriction signals a potential flashpoint in diplomatic relations, as the Strait of Hormuz is a critical artery for global energy shipments. By limiting the window of free navigation, Tehran is asserting its sovereign authority over one of the world's most strategic maritime chokepoints.
Speaking to the press after a parliamentary session on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, Ghalibaf addressed the terms of the agreement [2]. He said that free passage under the memorandum of understanding with the U.S. is permitted only for 60 days [1].
"Iran will not give up its rights over the Hormuz waterway, even as we allow limited free navigation for a period of 60 days," Ghalibaf said [2].
The announcement comes amid ongoing technical discussions involving mediators in Doha. While the memorandum intended to stabilize transit, the Iranian leadership is emphasizing that the arrangement is temporary rather than a permanent concession of control.
A spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry added a warning regarding the timeline. The spokesperson said any attempt to breach the 60-day window will be met with a response that could close the strait indefinitely [3].
This stance places the U.S. and its allies in a precarious position. The 60-day limit [1] creates a hard deadline for vessels operating under the agreement, turning a diplomatic bridge into a countdown for potential maritime confrontation.
“"Free passage through the Strait of Hormuz under the memorandum of understanding with the United States is permitted only for 60 days."”
By imposing a strict 60-day limit on free navigation, Iran is leveraging its geographic control of the Strait of Hormuz to maintain political pressure on the U.S. This move suggests that Tehran views the current memorandum of understanding as a tactical pause rather than a long-term peace deal, effectively using the threat of an indefinite closure to secure further concessions in broader diplomatic negotiations.
