EU foreign policy and security chief Kaja Kallas said Tuesday that diplomatic efforts to address tensions linked to the Strait of Hormuz had made no breakthrough so far, stressing that the priority was to restore freedom of navigation through the waterway safely and without restrictions or transit fees.
Priority for European maritime security
Kallas made the remarks ahead of a meeting of European defense ministers in Ireland, stressing the European Union’s rejection of imposing fees or tolls on sea routes that had previously been open.
She added that ensuring the safety of shipping and freedom of navigation was a fundamental part of European maritime security priorities.
Renewed exchanges of fire as strait remains closed
Diplomatic efforts are continuing while the Strait of Hormuz remains a major point of contention in the war between Iran and the United States. According to the source material, the two sides resumed exchanges of fire on Monday after more than a month of relative calm, while Tehran continues to close the waterway.
Tehran links reopening to Washington’s commitments
As part of contacts between the two countries, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran was ready to immediately return to its commitments under the memorandum of understanding signed with the United States during June, provided Washington returned to implementing its obligations under the agreement aimed at ending the war.
The Iranian presidency website quoted Pezeshkian as saying during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit hosted by Kyrgyzstan that his country would take corresponding measures as soon as the United States returned to its obligations under the memorandum of understanding.
Diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran had led to a ceasefire in April, followed by the signing of a memorandum of understanding in mid-June that was intended to pave the way for talks on a final agreement. However, the process stalled when hostilities briefly resumed in early July, while Washington later announced what it described as an “unprecedented economic war” against Tehran.
