What is Article 5 of the US-Iran Interim Agreement? How the Strait of Hormuz clause sparked new US-Iranian strikes | Today’s news
The fragile US-Iran interim deal, aimed at averting a wider regional war, is facing its biggest test yet, with both Washington and Tehran accusing each other of violating Article 5 – the section governing commercial traffic through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
A dispute over who controls one of the world’s busiest maritime choke points has triggered a new cycle of military strikes that threatens to derail a June 17 memorandum of understanding (MoU).
What is Article 5?
Article 5 of the US-Iran Interim Memorandum of Understanding aims to restore safe commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz after months of conflict.
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Under Article 5, Iran is tasked with ensuring the safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, allowing free navigation between the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman for 60 days, and consulting with the Gulf states on future maritime services.
The disagreement arises from different interpretations of the carriage arrangement; The US favors alternative routes through Omani waters, while Iran insists on using the Northern Corridor in its territorial waters.
Recent tensions escalated when Iran’s Revolutionary Guards ordered tankers to return to Omani waters, followed by drone attacks on commercial ships blamed on Iran by the US.
The US carried out the strikes in response to attacks on commercial vessels targeting Iranian military infrastructure, which it believed was responsible for ongoing threats to shipping.
Control over the Strait of Hormuz is critical because it is a major maritime strait through which approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas flows, affecting global energy markets and international trade.
Under the deal, Iran committed to:
-Ensure the safe passage of merchant vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.
-Enable free shipping between the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman for 60 days.
-Gradually resume full commercial operations within 30 days after removing military obstacles and carrying out demining operations.
-Consult with Oman and other Gulf littoral states to determine future governance and maritime services in the strait in accordance with international law and the sovereign rights of littoral states.
The article essentially makes Iran responsible for facilitating maritime traffic while requiring discussions on the future management of the waterway.
Why is Article 5 controversial?
The disagreement stems from different interpretations of how shipping should be restored.
The United States has supported alternative transit arrangements coordinated with Oman and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) that seek to direct vessels closer to Omani territorial waters to reduce risks.
Iran strongly opposes such an approach.
Tehran says Article 5 recognizes its role in managing navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and insists that commercial vessels should use the northern shipping corridor in Iranian territorial waters.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned last week that any attempt to introduce alternative shipping measures would increase tensions and delay the reopening of the strait.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) also warned ships that the northern corridor was the only “allowed route”.
How did the last crisis start?
The dispute escalated on Thursday when the IRGC reportedly ordered four tankers transiting the Southern Sea Route in Omani waters to turn back.
Several other vessels changed course before completing their transit.
The situation worsened after two merchant ships were attacked:
– Ever Lovely with the Singapore flag was hit by a drone on Friday.
Kiku sailing under Panama was hit on Saturday.
While Iran has not claimed responsibility for either incident, Washington has accused Tehran of threatening commercial shipping.
Why did the US go on strike?
Following the attacks on commercial vessels, the US military carried out strikes against Iranian military targets along the country’s southern coast.
According to US Central Command (CENTCOM), US forces focused on:
-Storage facilities for rockets and drones
-Surveillance infrastructure
-Capabilities of marine laying min
President Donald Trump said the attacks were in retaliation for Iran’s repeated violations of the ceasefire agreement.
“Iranian missile and drone sites and coastal radar stations” were targeted in violations of the ceasefire agreement, Trump said, warning that Washington could “finish the job militarily” if Tehran continued its actions.
CENTCOM said the strikes were carried out “in direct response to Iran’s continued aggression against merchant shipping.”
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How does Iran justify its response?
Tehran says the United States — not Iran — violated the deal first.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry described the US strikes as:
– Violation of the UN Charter.
– Clear violation of paragraph 1 of the memorandum of understanding.
-Proof that Washington is not keeping its commitments.
The IRGC also argues that Article 5 effectively recognizes Iranian authority over shipping arrangements in the Strait of Hormuz.
In response to the US attacks, Iran launched missiles and drones targeting US military facilities, including Kuwait’s Ali Al Salem Air Base and the US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain.
The IRGC described the attacks as a “decisive response” to US military action.
Why is the Strait of Hormuz so important?
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most strategically important maritime hubs in the world.
Before the recent conflict, roughly a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies passed through the narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
Any disruption will immediately affect global energy markets, shipping insurance costs and international trade.
Iran has long viewed control of the strait as one of its most powerful geopolitical bargaining tools.
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