Iran is seeking international recognition of its control over the Strait of Hormuz and its ability to charge vessels entering or leaving the Gulf, two senior Iranian sources have told Reuters.
The sources said Tehran is prepared to enforce that position by force if necessary.
Under this month’s interim agreement with the United States to end their three-month conflict, Iran agreed to allow ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz without charge for 60 days.
But Tehran believes the wording of the deal still gives it authority over which vessels can pass and which route they must use through the narrow waterway.
The sources said Iran also wants lasting formal recognition of that authority once the interim period ends. They added that Iranian negotiators will not move on to other disputes in continuing talks with Washington until the issue is settled.
If the interim agreement expires without an extension, Iran would begin charging ships for passage in mid-August, the sources said.
