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Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, has called for Gulf leaders to unite against their "real enemy," emphasizing the need for a collective approach to the ongoing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. Khamenei's message, released on the occasion of the Prophet Muhammad's birthday, comes as Iran maintains a hard stance on the strategic waterway, which is a crucial route for global oil and gas shipments.
The call for Gulf unity follows a period of heightened tensions in the region, sparked by the US-Israeli attacks on February 28 that resulted in the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's father and predecessor. Since then, Khamenei has not appeared publicly, adding a sense of urgency to his latest message.
The Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which approximately 20 percent of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments pass, remains closed. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi confirmed on Saturday that Iran had reached an understanding with Oman regarding a temporary maritime route, but its implementation hinges on the United States fulfilling its commitments under a memorandum of understanding signed in mid-June.
Gharibabadi emphasized that Iran would only take measures to implement the understanding once the US has fulfilled its obligations. "The Strait of Hormuz is closed," he said, adding that any vessel seeking to cross would have to coordinate with Iran.
Regional mediators have been pushing for renewed diplomacy to resolve the standoff. Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, visited Tehran last week, where talks focused on de-escalation and restoring shipping through Hormuz. However, recorded transits through the strait remain low, with the number of commodity vessels crossing down from 17 a day earlier to just seven on Thursday.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has expressed concern over the situation, with Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez calling for renewed political will and cooperation to restore freedom of navigation through the strait. The IMO estimates that up to 400 ships carrying about 6,000 seafarers have been unable to leave the Gulf safely since the US-Israel war on Iran began.
The economic pressure on Tehran is mounting, with Iran's annual inflation reaching 66 percent last month. President Masoud Pezeshkian has attributed the economic downturn to US sanctions and the naval blockade. Despite the pressure, Tehran has shown no sign of yielding on Hormuz. Pezeshkian has instead called for reviving the June interim agreement with Washington.
Washington has widened its sanctions campaign against Iran, targeting Iran-linked individuals and entities. The US has also moved to restrict the branches of Egypt's Banque Misr bank in the United Arab Emirates from dollar transactions over alleged dealings with Tehran.
The diplomatic push for a resolution is unfolding alongside the intensification of economic sanctions. Iran's Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, has warned that the country will not bow to external pressure. "We will not submit to any form of pressure, whether it is economic or military," he said.
As the situation in the Strait of Hormuz continues to escalate, the international community watches closely, hoping for a peaceful resolution. The stakes are high, not only for the Gulf region but for the global economy, which relies heavily on the stable flow of oil and gas through the strategic waterway.
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