WANA (Jun 15) – An informed source has revealed critical, last-minute amendments to the final text of the Iran-U.S. memorandum of understanding, stating that the agreement firmly establishes the sovereign rights of Iran and Oman over the strategic Strait of Hormuz. For the first time, the United States has officially accepted the principle of maritime service fees being levied by Iran.

 

The source outlined the final revisions made to the text, noting: “In the final moments of the negotiations, changes were made to the text of the agreement that decisively and explicitly emphasize the exercise of joint Iranian-Omani sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.”

 

The source added: “In the previous draft, certain terminology was utilized to safeguard this exercise of sovereignty and Iranian arrangements. However, the finalized text now explicitly states that ‘the future administration of maritime navigation services in the Strait of Hormuz’ shall be ‘determined’ by Iran and Oman.”

 

According to the source, the explicit incorporation of the term “maritime services” effectively means that the United States has formalized its recognition of Iran’s right to collect transit and service fees.

 

Highlighting another clause of the accord, the source explained: “This principle is reinforced elsewhere in the text, stipulating that Iran will permit fee-free transit for vessels for a period of ‘only’ 60 days. This indicates that the U.S. has fully accepted the underlying principle of fee collection and has merely secured a 60-day waiver from Iran.”

 

The informed source further clarified: “Following this 60-day window, the Islamic Republic of Iran intends to utilize the financial revenues generated from commercial vessel traffic in the strait—by providing maritime safety, navigation, environmental, and insurance services—to fuel the country’s economic development.”

 

In conclusion, the source noted: “A fundamental element in this breakthrough was the close alignment of Oman, which controls the opposite side of the Strait of Hormuz. The necessary negotiations have been successfully concluded to ensure the full cooperation of the Omani side.”