Iran, US set up "communication line" to avert military incidents in Hormuz as per MoU
Tehran, June 26
Iran and the United States on Friday have established a "communication line" in the Strait of Hormuz to prevent incidents that could escalate into military confrontation and to facilitate the implementation of provisions under the 14-point memorandum of understanding between the two countries, Iranian state media Press TV reported.
According to the final statement of talks held between the two sides in Switzerland and issued by the two mediators, Qatar and Pakistan, the communication channel was created to help manage potential incidents in the strategic waterway.
"In order to prevent incidents in the Strait of Hormuz that might lead to military confrontation and to implement the provisions of paragraph five of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, a communication line has been established between the two sides," Press TV reported.
However, Iran also emphasised that, under the agreement, all vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz must follow routes announced by Tehran.
"Any passage through the strait must be conducted via the routes announced by Iran," the report said.
The development comes after the conclusion of the initial round of technical talks as part of the MoU aimed at ending the hostilities in West Asia between the US and Iran in Switzerland, with both sides agreeing to establish a High-Level Committee and a roadmap towards a final agreement within 60 days.
According to the joint statement issued by Qatar and Pakistan following the Lake Lucerne Summit in Switzerland's Burgenstock, the parties had agreed to establish a direct communication line during the 60-day negotiation period.
"In addition, a communication line between the parties has been formed for the period mentioned in paragraph 5 of the MoU to avoid incidents and miscommunication with the aim of safe passage for commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz," the statement read.
On Thursday, US Vice President JD Vance, who led the US delegation in Switzerland, stated that the US and Iran had agreed to set up a direct deconfliction channel with military representatives from both countries, with the arrangement involving representatives from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the US Army's Central Command (CENTCOM) being stationed in Doha, Qatar.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Typical power play 🙄 Iran wants to control the strait while pretending to cooperate. The US agreeing to station IRGC and CENTCOM representatives together in Doha? That's like putting a tiger and a goat in the same cage. Hope this communication line actually works, but history says otherwise. Our sailors and merchant vessels need safe passage, not political theatre.
As an Indian, I see this as good news but incomplete. The MoU mentions a High-Level Committee and 60-day roadmap - but where's the transparency for other nations like India that rely on this strait for 80% of our oil? We should have been at the table. At least Pakistan's involvement gives some regional balance, though I wish India had a voice in this too.
Finally, some pragmatic diplomacy! A direct deconfliction channel between IRGC and CENTCOM is exactly what's needed to prevent accidental escalation. The 14-point MoU framework from Islamabad seems promising. However, relying solely on Qatar and Pakistan as mediators might limit perspectives - this affects global trade, not just regional powers. Still, a step in right direction. 👍
I wish people understood what this really means. Iran's insistence on controlling routes is not about safety - it's about dominance in the region. The US playing along with this "communication line" while ignoring Iran's nuclear ambitions is worrying. India should be watching closely and perhaps offering our own mediation services - we have good relations with both sides.
Yaar, I'm tired of these geopolitical games. Every few years there's a crisis in Hormuz, oil prices spike, and we
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