Iran's top security body issues order to swiftly handle requests for crossing Hormuz Strait
Tehran, June 19
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 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
Reader Comments
Waah! Free passage for 60 days? That's like a temporary "peace discount" for shipping companies. But the real question is - what does Iran get in return? The article says the costs are covered by Tehran, so they must have extracted some concessions from the US behind the scenes. As an Indian, I'm just hoping this doesn't lead to more volatility in oil prices. 😅
I appreciate the diplomatic efforts here, but I'm skeptical about the "swift handling" promise. The SNSC has a history of bureaucratic delays, and for our Indian shipping lines, any holdup in the Strait means huge financial losses. Trump and Pezeshkian signing an MoU electronically while Vance talks about "verified actions" - feels like kabhi kabhi sachchai se zyada politics hoti hai. Hope our government is keeping backup routes ready.
As someone who works in logistics, this is interesting. 60 days no fee is a short-term fix - it doesn't address the underlying tension between Iran and the US. The article mentions "safety hazards" which is code for the risk of military confrontations. For India, which imports most of its oil via this route, we need a permanent solution, not a temporary band-aid. 😒
Happy to see some progress in diplomacy between Tehran and Washington. But the timing is suspicious - with elections coming in Iran and Trump looking for foreign policy wins, both sides have incentives to show "success." The 60-day window is too short for meaningful verification. India should push for a broader multilateral framework involving Oman and Pakistan, not just this bilateral MoU. Our chai-paani (stability) depends on it.
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