The United States and Iran are in disagreement over the status of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical international waterway. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated on Sunday that the strait is "open to all vessels seeking to lawfully transit the international waterway" and that "Iran does not control the strait." CENTCOM further reported that "traffic is flowing."
President Trump echoed this sentiment in an interview with NBC's Meet the Press, asserting that the strait was open as far as he was concerned. This assertion comes despite Iran's announcement on July 11 that it was closing the strait. Iranian officials claim that "passage through the Strait of Hormuz is currently not possible," attributing the closure to "recent illegal movements of the United States military forces." According to the Port and Maritime Organization of Iran (PGSA), passage will resume once "stability and calm are restored," with requests to be reviewed on a schedule and permits issued accordingly.
Iran has also previously suggested plans to charge fees for passing ships, a proposal that President Trump has deemed "unacceptable" and stated would not be part of any peace deal with the U.S. The differing accounts highlight the ongoing tension and differing perspectives on maritime control and passage in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.