Persistent tensions in the Strait of Hormuz between Washington and Tehran

Nearly eight months after the start of the war, the Strait of Hormuz remains at the center of the standoff between Washington and Tehran. On Tuesday, Donald Trump affirmed that “no conversations or discussions are taking place at this time or are scheduled with the Islamic Republic of Iran”, while hostilities have diminished after the Israeli-American strikes and the Iranian responses of the first weeks.

The American president also assures that “the naval blockade remains fully in force and effective” and that “the Strait of Hormuz is open and functional”. However, these statements come the day after comments from Jared Kushner, who spoke of “very positive and lively” discussions. An American source contacted by AFP clarified that the exchanges had been suspended and that Donald Trump did not wish to resume them as long as Tehran did not move closer to American positions.

Iran sticks to its positions

Iran is currently showing no signs of softening. Chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Tuesday that the strait would not be opened until Washington fulfilled the commitments in the memorandum of understanding signed in June. Tehran is demanding in particular “the lifting of the (American) naval blockade, the unblocking of frozen (Iranian) assets, the lifting of the oil embargo”, as well as “the end of military operations on all fronts”. The June text provided for sixty days of truce to reach a lasting diplomatic settlement, without result at this stage.

Tension also remains present in the Gulf. The United Arab Emirates accused Iran on Tuesday of launching two ballistic missiles in their direction. According to the UAE Ministry of Defense, “the first fell outside territorial waters, while the second fell within territorial waters”. Neither projectile reached the country's territory. In response, the government suspended all “commercial exchanges” and “financial transactions” with Iran, Emirati diplomacy announced on Tuesday on X. For its part, Iran denied being the author of the attack.

Strait of Hormuz, a future American territory

Despite Donald Trump's assertions on the reopening of Hormuz, traffic in the strait remains well below its pre-war level. The American president also mentioned the idea of ​​making it an “American territory” and published a map presenting it as such on Tuesday on Truth Social. However, Washington currently seems to favor a strategy of waiting, banking on the long-term effects of the maritime blockade and economic sanctions imposed on Iran.