Iran limiting daily vessel passage through Strait of Hormuz
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Iran is limiting daily vessel passage through the Strait of Hormuz, with the number subject to daily change based on coordination with IRGC naval forces, despite US claims that Tehran has agreed to guarantee free transit.
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A man stands beside a fishing pole along the shore as cargo ships and commercial vessels are seen in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas, Iran, Wednesday, June 17, 2026. (AP)
Iran is only allowing a limited number of vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz each day, with the figure subject to daily change based on coordination with Islamic Revolution Guard Corps naval forces and the prevailing security situation, according to a military source cited by Iran's Fars news agency.
The number of permitted vessels will fluctuate daily depending on the situation, the news agency reported. The restrictions come amid continued tensions over the implementation of the memorandum of understanding signed between Iran and the United States to end the US-Israeli war on Iran.
On June 20, Iran's military command announced it was closing the strait to shipping in response to continued Israeli attacks on Lebanon and US violations of the memorandum. Following subsequent talks between Iran and the United States in Switzerland, Tehran did not officially announce a reopening of the waterway.
Mixed signals on Hormuz reopening
Despite the lack of an official announcement from Iran, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that Tehran had agreed to guarantee free transit through the strait.
The discrepancy between the two sides' accounts reflects the continued fragility of the diplomatic process.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies, through which approximately one-fifth of the world's oil normally passes. Iran's control over the waterway has been a central element of its strategic leverage throughout the war.
Iranian caution amid ceasefire tensions
Iran's cautious approach to reopening the strait reflects its concerns about continued Israeli attacks on Lebanon and US violations of the memorandum.
Iranian officials have consistently stated that they will not fully normalize traffic through the strait until all parties comply with their commitments under the agreement.
The daily limit on vessel passage allows Iran to maintain oversight and control over the waterway while gradually restoring shipping to pre-war levels. However, the ongoing restrictions indicate that tensions remain high and that full normalization of maritime traffic is still some distance away.
Read More: Iran says Hormuz will remain under Tehran’s administration after talks
