U.S. and Iran Clash Again Over Strait of Hormuz Transit Fees, Clouding Second Round of Talks

As the United States and Iran resumed military clashes in the Strait of Hormuz on the 7th and 8th local time, concerns grew over the second round of ceasefire talks scheduled for later this month. The trigger is believed to be transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz.
■ Conflict over strait transit fees
In a statement on the 7th, United States Central Command (USCENTCOM), which oversees operations against Iran, said it had carried out airstrikes on about 80 targets inside Iran. In a statement on the 8th, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it had struck 85 U.S.-related targets in Bahrain and Kuwait.
The latest clash began after three merchant vessels were hit by long-range projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz on the 6th and 7th. USCENTCOM claimed that Iran attacked the Qatari liquefied natural gas carrier Al Rekayat, the Saudi-flagged tanker Wedian, and the Republic of Liberia-flagged tanker Cyprus Prosperity. The foreign ministries of Qatar and Saudi Arabia also issued statements saying Iran was behind the incident.
According to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) on the 7th, Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran's foreign ministry, said he was "puzzled" by Qatar's accusation. He added that using routes not coordinated with Iran or tampering with vessel tracking devices was dangerous because it undermined Iran's efforts to promote safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Baghaei said Iran was faithfully carrying out the measures and commitments required under the memorandum on managing the strait, and warned regional countries and shipping companies to refrain from actions that violate the agreement.
Earlier, the United States and Iran signed a ceasefire memorandum on the 17th of last month and agreed during the 60-day negotiation period to a ceasefire, guaranteed passage through the Strait of Hormuz, and the lifting of sanctions on Iranian oil. However, Iran criticized a newly designated route near Oman set by the U.S. military and insisted that ships should travel along Iran's coastline.
Ami Daniel, CEO of the British maritime data company Windward, told The New York Times that Iran's reason for opposing the Oman-bound route was "a highly calculated strategy to steer ships near Iran and later make them pay transit fees."
■ Second round of ceasefire working-level talks at risk
The dispute deepened further when the United States restored sanctions on Iranian oil on the 7th. In a statement on the 8th, Iran's foreign ministry said, "Iran strongly warns of the consequences of the United States' violation of the provisions and will take firm measures to protect national interests and national security."
The conflict could ultimately hurt the ceasefire talks. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of the Parliament of Iran and head of the Iranian delegation in the negotiations, posted on X on the 7th, calling them "major violations of the memorandum by the United States." He listed the infringement of Iran's control in the Strait of Hormuz, ongoing threats of additional airstrikes, attacks on southern Iran, and Israel's continued aggression. "The era of threats and extortion is over," he said. "Nothing can be gained that way. We will not yield."
According to Al Arabiya and other outlets, the two sides are expected to hold the second round of ceasefire working-level talks in Pakistan on the 11th. A United States government official said through foreign media on the 7th that "the U.S. negotiating team continues to work in good faith toward a final agreement," adding that the possibility of a diplomatic solution remains open.
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