Tehran: Iran’s top security body announced that it has issued the order for the swift handling of requests by vessels for passage through the Strait of Hormuz in line with meeting the objectives of a newly-signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Tehran and Washington.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) made the announcement in a statement carried by Iranian media hours after Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and his US counterpart Donald Trump signed the MoU, electronically, Xinhua news agency reported.
The SNSC said under the MoU, no fee will be charged for 60 days for passage by ships requesting to cross the Strait of Hormuz, and all the expenses will be covered by the Iranian government.
Vessels seeking to transit the waterway are required to send their requests to the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA), it said.
“Given the specific circumstances and existence of some safety hazards along the passage route, and due to the necessity to ensure safe traffic and prevent maritime accidents, it is necessary for ships to pass through along the announced route and at the announced time,” it said, giving the assurance that traffic in the waterway would gradually increase.
It said the executive arrangements and technical details for passage through the strait will be announced through the PGSA.
Iran, the United States and Pakistan early Monday announced the finalisation of the MoU aiming to end conflict on all fronts, including Lebanon. Pezeshkian and Trump signed the MoU electronically early Thursday.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration is preparing to enter what could be the most consequential phase of its Iran diplomacy, with Vice President JD Vance saying Thursday that the next 60 days will determine whether a fragile memorandum of understanding evolves into a lasting agreement or unravels amid longstanding mistrust between Washington and Tehran.
In a wide-ranging White House briefing, Vance laid out the administration’s roadmap for implementing the accord signed this week, stressing that future economic benefits for Iran would depend entirely on verified actions, not promises.
“I would say the 60-day period officially started today,” Vance told reporters at a crowded White House press conference.
The remarks offered the clearest picture yet of how Washington intends to move from the framework agreement to a final settlement that addresses Iran’s nuclear activities, regional conduct and future relationship with the international community.
(IANS)
