IRGC Rejects US Strait Hotline Claim as Hormuz Clashes Resume After June 17 MoU
Updated
Updated · Al Jazeera English · Jun 27
IRGC Rejects US Strait Hotline Claim as Hormuz Clashes Resume After June 17 MoU
3 articles · Updated · Al Jazeera English · Jun 27
Summary
Hossein Mohebi said Friday that no direct US-Iran military hotline on the Strait of Hormuz exists or will exist, contradicting US claims that a deconfliction channel had been arranged.
JD Vance had said after Switzerland talks that an IRGC-CENTCOM contact in Doha would help settle disputes, and Iran's Press TV reported a line had been set up to implement Article 5 on restoring commercial traffic.
Fresh violence undercut that account after the Singapore-flagged Ever Lovely was hit late Thursday, prompting US strikes on Iran's southern coast on Friday and drone attacks on Bahrain on Saturday.
Iran is insisting ships use a route designated by its armed forces near its shores, while the IRGC disputes an Oman-IMO passage plan that it says was arranged without its input.
UKMTO raised the Strait's threat level to "substantial" on Saturday, signaling continued risk to shipping even after the 17 June memorandum meant to reduce escalation.