Trump Says "Talks Going Well"... Iran Moves to Ban U.S. Vessel Passage (Comprehensive)
"The War Will Be Over Soon," Trump Asserts
Iran Denies Negotiations With U.S., Rebuts Optimism
U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed an optimistic outlook regarding negotiations aimed at opening the Strait of Hormuz with Iran. This response stands in contrast to Iran’s direct denial that it is engaged in negotiations with the United States. Iran also announced it would consider legislation to ban the passage of U.S. vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. Furthermore, there are expectations that Iran will push ahead with imposing tolls on passage through the Strait of Hormuz, despite opposition from the United States. International shipping associations have called for intervention by the United Nations (UN).
Trump: "The War Will Be Over Soon...I Am Involved in Negotiations"
On August 6 (local time), President Trump stated during a press conference following a White House executive order signing ceremony, "The war with Iran will be over soon. It cannot last long," adding, "I am involved in negotiations with Iran, and we are doing well. There could be an end (to the war) soon."
He also warned that if Iran continues its provocations in the Strait of Hormuz, airstrikes could resume. He said, "They (Iran) are always firing something or laying mines. Even a single mine can greatly complicate the situation," and stressed, "We have very powerful ammunition and virtually unlimited supplies. We literally have a massive stockpile of ammunition."
While issuing this warning to Iran, he also refuted U.S. media reports stating that the military's interceptor missile stockpiles had been depleted to dangerous levels. Previously, CNN reported that 80% of the U.S. Army’s Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missiles and 65% of its Patriot missiles had been used up due to the conflict with Iran.
Iran: "Considering Law to Ban Passage of U.S. and Israeli Vessels Through the Strait of Hormuz"
Iran countered by stating that there are currently no ongoing negotiations with the United States. Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran's deputy foreign minister, said in an interview with state media IRNA that "Talks for understanding on the Strait of Hormuz are being carried out between Iran and Oman, and during this period there have been no negotiations with the United States."
The Iranian parliament announced it is considering legislation that would ban the passage of U.S. vessels through the strait. Fars News Agency, which is affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), cited sources from parliament and the foreign ministry stating, "A bill is being considered that would completely ban the passage of vessels from the United States, Israel, and other hostile states through the Strait of Hormuz," adding, "Any vessel violating this restriction and passing through the strait will be fined an amount equivalent to 20% of the value of its cargo."
It is also reported that a passage toll for the Strait of Hormuz will be introduced. Fars News Agency explained, "Management of vessels entering the strait will be carried out exclusively by Iran, while management of exiting vessels will be conducted jointly by Iran and Oman," and clarified, "Reports suggesting differences between Iran and Oman regarding the toll are not true. The toll will vary based on several factors, including the service level provided."
The previous day, the Times of Israel (TOI), citing an anonymous senior Iranian official, reported, "Iran and Oman each plan to impose passage tolls for the Strait of Hormuz at different rates," and, "Iran is talking about a range of 5 to 7 percent of the cargo value, while Oman is considering a figure around 3 percent."
Shipping Associations Oppose Iran’s Plan for Passage Toll... "UN Must Intervene"
International shipping groups have strongly opposed Iran’s move to impose a passage toll for the Strait of Hormuz, urging intervention from the United Nations and the International Maritime Organization (IMO). According to CNN, eight organizations, including the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), sent a joint open letter to UN Secretary-General António Guterres and IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez.
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In the letter, these associations stated that "Imposing compulsory tolls or service fees for transiting the Strait of Hormuz is a significant deviation from internationally established practice," and cautioned, "If such a precedent is set, it will be difficult to prevent similar measures in other straits," adding, "This creates uncertainty for international shipping and global trade as a whole." They further stressed, "We are prepared to cooperate with the UN and IMO to ensure that navigation principles for international straits, as outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), are not violated," and called for urgent intervention.
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