US and Iran Sign Pact to Reopen Strait of Hormuz

The United States and Iran have entered a 60-day negotiating window following the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, an agreement mediated by Pakistan and Qatar in Burgenstock, Switzerland. The pact aims to resolve the status of the Strait of Hormuz, prevent nuclear proliferation, and restore global energy flows. Following the deal, the U.S. lifted its naval blockade, and three stranded tankers carrying 5 million barrels of oil exited the strait.

Significant friction remains over the administration of the waterway. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio insisted that the strait must remain toll-free, with Trump declaring any final peace deal allowing maritime fees unacceptable. While the White House maintains that Iran is not levying tolls, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy warned that only Iranian-designated routes are authorized for passage and that coordination via Channel 16 is mandatory. Iranian negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf characterized the agreement as a declaration of America's defeat.

U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright claimed the U.S. has neutralized Iran's leverage over the chokepoint through the use of military escorts operating via Oman. Simultaneously, the International Maritime Organization and Oman implemented an evacuation plan for 11,000 stranded seafarers. In the U.S., the Senate passed a war powers resolution to block further military action against Iran, a move Trump condemned as meaningless. China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed unwavering support for the mediation efforts to stabilize global supply chains.