Iran has said it has received an initial draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) from the United States that could pave the way for reopening commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz within a month, according to Iranian state media reports.
The proposed framework is part of a broader understanding aimed at easing tensions in West Asia and restoring maritime movement through one of the world’s most strategically sensitive shipping corridors.
According to the report, the draft envisages commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz returning to pre-conflict levels if certain conditions are met, including the withdrawal of American forces from Iran’s vicinity and the lifting of the US naval blockade. The framework reportedly excludes military vessels from its scope.
It also suggests that Iran would manage commercial shipping through the waterway in coordination with Oman, reflecting a shared administrative mechanism for ensuring passage through the narrow strait.
Also read: Israeli airstrikes in eastern Lebanon kills 12
However, Iranian authorities have emphasised that the understanding remains unofficial and has not been finalised. Tehran has also reportedly said it would not implement any commitments without “tangible verification” of US actions, underlining continued mistrust between the two sides.
The draft MoU is further reported to include a provision that, if a final agreement between Tehran and Washington is reached within 60 days, it could eventually be formalised as a binding United Nations Security Council resolution.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global energy chokepoint, with a significant share of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas shipments passing through it. Any disruption in the narrow waterway has immediate repercussions on global energy prices and supply chains.
The reported development comes amid months of heightened tensions in West Asia, which have disrupted maritime traffic and increased volatility in global oil markets. There has been no official confirmation from Washington on the reported draft agreement.