Iran Emphasizes Exclusive Responsibility for Mine Clearance in the Strait of Hormuz

Following the escalation of diplomatic tensions in the region, the Islamic Republic of Iran has once again emphasized its sovereignty over the region's strategic waterways. Esmaeil Baghaei, the spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, announced in his weekly press conference in Tehran that the issue of mine clearance in the Strait of Hormuz is solely within Iran's jurisdiction and there is no need for intervention by other countries in this regard [2]. These remarks were made in direct response to statements by Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, who had announced Paris's readiness to cooperate with regional partners for demining this waterway.

The Islamabad Memorandum; The Legal Basis for Iran's Claim Kazem Gharibabadi, the Deputy for Legal and International Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, citing the "Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding" recently signed between Iran and the United States, clarified that according to Article 5 of this agreement, the responsibility for demining operations rests solely with Iran [1]. In a message on the social network X, he warned that the regional situation is very sensitive and France should not complicate conditions with provocative actions [4]. Gharibabadi also revealed that during the negotiations, the United States attempted to participate in the demining process, but Iran firmly rejected this proposal to ensure the management of this task remains entirely indigenous [1].

Recent Tensions and the Necessity of Safe Reopening This diplomatic standoff occurs while the Strait of Hormuz has witnessed an unstable situation following recent conflicts between Iranian and US forces. After the attack on the container ship "Ever Lovely" on June 25, the two sides agreed on a fragile ceasefire on June 29 [3]. According to the terms of the new memorandum, Iran has committed to removing military obstacles and clearing laid mines within 30 days so that commercial ship traffic can return to normal [4]. Estimates indicate the presence of about 80 naval mines of the "Maham 3" and "Maham 7" types in the main shipping lanes, the identification of which has been described as very difficult due to the specific technology used.

Negotiations with Oman and Future Management of the Waterway Simultaneously with these developments, Iranian and Omani officials held meetings in Muscat to review the management of navigation services and determine new transit routes [3]. Iran emphasizes that the management of the Strait of Hormuz must be entirely in the hands of coastal states and the era of international supervision in the old manner has ended [1]. While Iranian technical teams are scheduled to speak with Qatari parties in Doha tomorrow regarding the release of frozen assets and the continued implementation of the memorandum, Tehran has warned that any attempt to send European demining forces without Iran's explicit permission will be considered a violation of national sovereignty [2][5].