US - Iran Peace agreement Part 3

[TopPocketFind]

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/conflict-in-the-middle-east/5535141-us-iran-peace-agreement-part-2https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/conflict-in-the-middle-east/5535141-us-iran-peace-agreement-part-2

8:57 PM, Jul 18, 2026
Iran supreme leader says US attacks prove Trump's signature on deal 'worthless'

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Ali Khamenei said on Saturday that repeated US “violations” of a memorandum of understanding with Tehran had once again proved that the US president’s signature was "worthless".
He said Washington’s breach of the agreement demonstrated the United States could not be trusted, adding that the US had once again revealed its “true face” and that its actions provided further evidence of what he described as America’s dishonesty and unreliability.
Khamenei also warned that if the US continued to pursue military escalation and accepted heavier costs, “the Iranian nation and the Axis of Resistance have unforgettable lessons” for Washington.

Says it all really.

Wow

What does this mean I wonder

, “the Iranian nation and the Axis of Resistance have unforgettable lessons” for Washington

I cannot help but think this is also a coded message to Trump regarding his 'Guardian of the SoH' boast and his 20% fee.

EU, Gulf states jointly call on Iran to keep Strait of Hormuz open

The EU and Gulf states have jointly called on Iran to permanently keep the Strait of Hormuz open, opposing the imposition of any permits, transit fees or conditions on international navigation. In a joint statement on freedom of navigation, they also rejected any "illegitimate claims" of sovereignty or control over the strategic waterway, according to Saudi state TV.

Well that’s bonkers
Iran and Oman have sovereignty over their own waters 12nm out from their shores.
There are no international waterways at the Hormuz pinch point

I also can’t see any of those countries giving up their similar rights

As you both say, sadly, there doesn't seem to be anyone in the US administration (at least no one who is listed to!) who has any understanding nor even any wish to try to understand a culture that is very different to the US one. As the Iranians have said, Kushner and Witkoff are there to try to increase their bank balance and Trumps's too (this seems to be a key priority for him). The American arrogance and dishonesty seem to preclude a long lasting peace at this stage.

As I've said on here, this escalation was expected. The whole situation is extremely depressing and I can't see a rapid resolution. The Iranian leaders are clearly extremely angry now and Trump still thinks he can just bomb them into submission, by continuing to commit war crimes. The potential impacts are immense.

Do you think so?
The EU is always releasing pathetic statements. Perhaps they should have thought about the potential repercussions when Trump and Bibi decided to start a war with Iran. The only condemnation the EU countries issued then was towards Iran when Iran retaliated after the first attack and the murder of their supreme leader. There is no point whining on the international stage afterwards when you have literally caused the problem yourself (see Marco Rubio).

The most significant damage from Iranian strikes on Saturday occurred in Kuwait, where a water desalination plant and an oil facility were hit, according to the Kuwait authorities and the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation.

It was the second attack against a desalination plant in two days in the tiny nation that depends on desalination for 90% of its drinking water.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2026/jul/19/middle-east-crisis-live-us-launches-new-round-of-airstrikes-to-swiftly-punish-iran-after-american-troops-killed

Meanwhile, as the US launched its eighth consecutive night of strikes, it vowed to “swiftly punish” Tehran for the deaths of the two US soldiers killed on Friday.

US Central Command (Centcom) said it struck Iranian military coastal surveillance and air defence facilities, maritime capabilities, and missile and drone storage sites overnight as well as Iranian forces “that launched attacks against US service members in Jordan on July 17”.

“The strikes are designed to further degrade Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and swiftly punish Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces who launched attacks against American service members in Jordan last night,” it added.

Iranian state media also said the US had struck Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz overnight.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/18/two-us-soldiers-killed-in-iranian-attack/

More on the joint statement issued by EU High Representative Kaja Kallas, on behalf of the European Union, and Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, in his capacity as chairman of the GCC Ministerial Council:

According to the statement, the GCC and the EU stressed that freedom of navigation through the strategic waterway must be guaranteed in accordance with international law and the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea. They also urged compliance with U.N. Security Council Resolution 2817.

The two sides rejected any unilateral claims of sovereignty or control over the Strait of Hormuz, saying no country has the right to impose transit permits, fees or other restrictions on international shipping through the waterway.

They also reaffirmed their solidarity with the countries affected by the attacks and with seafarers whose safety had been put at risk, stressing that the security of international shipping is a shared international responsibility.

The GCC and the EU underscored the importance of cooperation through international and regional maritime organizations, particularly the International Maritime Organization, to safeguard maritime security and freedom of navigation.

The statement reaffirmed both sides’ commitment to continued coordination to protect international shipping, preserve regional security and pursue dialogue and diplomacy as the preferred means of resolving the crisis.

www.yemenonline.info/gulf-news/13142

It follows Hegseth's comment on the death of 2 service men

“Godspeed, heroes. Their sacrifice only stiffens our resolve.”

The man is high on Ts and a disgrace, he doesn't care about the human cost.

It's not "bonkers". Oman is one of the countries involved in the joint statement issued by the EU and Gulf Cooperation Counties (GCC) calling for freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

For anyone reading this who doesn't know, the GCC countries are Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Of course it’s bonkers

rejected any "illegitimate claims" of sovereignty or control over the strategic waterway

Iran has sovereignty over their own waters
they can stand up make speeches and reject whatever they like, it
doesn’t mean a toss.
As I said none of them would give up theirs
It’s Utter nonsense

That’s a lesson Theyd all do well to brush up on
Including Israel on what International waters are

none of them would give up theirs ... yet Oman are prepared to give up theirs.

I wonder how many countries would have to be against Iran preventing freedom of navigation before you would think maybe just maybe the IRGC are trying to do something wrong.

Has any country taken their side on this? Talk about isolating yourself.

Oman doesn't have to give up theirs
Read the MOU
after the 60days Oman and Iran make arrangements together

No one else has sovereignty over their waters
and the MOU explicitly stated
sovereignty was to be respected
The US hasnt done that from the beginning

Clearly they can’t read

The Memorandum of Understanding

Point 2:
The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran undertake to respect each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to refrain from interfering in each other's internal affairs.

Point 4:
Immediately upon the signing of this MOU, the United States of America will begin the removal of its naval blockade and any disturbances or impediments against the Islamic Republic of Iran, and it will fully end the naval blockade within 30 days. During this period, the traffic of vessels will be in proportion to the numbers of pre-war traffic being restored by the Islamic Republic of Iran. United States of America further undertakes to remove its forces from the proximity of the Islamic Republic of Iran within 30 days after the final deal.

Point 5:
Upon the signing of this MOU, the Islamic Republic of Iran will make arrangements using its best efforts for the safe passage of commercial vessels with no charge for 60 days, only from the Persian Gulf to the Sea of Oman and vice versa. The traffic of commercial vessels will immediately start, and considering the need for removing the tactical and military obstacles and de-mining by the Islamic Republic of Iran will be instated within 30 days. The Islamic Republic of Iran will conduct dialog with the Sultanate of Oman to define the future administration and maritime services in the Strait of Hormuz, in discussion with other Persian Gulf littoral states in line with the applicable international law and the sovereign rights of coastal states of the Strait of Hormuz.

Oh look
No mention of US control of the Strait
and Full recognition of who has sovereignty over the Strait

For 60 days anyway.

And really, as soon as the MOU was put out, then that should have been the time for Oman to stick it's hand up and say " excuse me. I don't like this, and I am gonna use the lanes in my bit".

Then the MOU could have been changed. Or at least folk would know Oman were going to set up different lanes. For sure, a captain might demand to sail through Oman waters as per UNCLOS, but at the same time, UNCLOS allows for the owner of the water to set lanes. So Oman could say to use those lanes over there.. on the Iran side.

What happens when a nation shuts a waterway ? Not a lot really, as per UNCLOS. Because it is reciprocal. And the reciprocal bit has worked so far.

So if the PRC stops a UK ship from right of innocent passage, then the UK does the same with PRC ships in UK waters.

And if that don't work, it is really a matter for the UN sec council.

‘The GCC and the EU underscored the importance of cooperation through international and regional maritime organizations, particularly the International Maritime Organization, to safeguard maritime security and freedom of navigation’

From post upthread
Which Iran have done including coordination with Oman and the IMO, UKMTO and the MICA centre

Here is the evacuation process
from the IMO

Immediate instructions for vessels
1. What should vessels do at this stage?
Vessels should remain in their current position and await further instructions.
2. Should vessels start navigating toward the Strait or the waiting area now?
No. Vessels should not initiate any movement at this stage.

3. Why must vessels wait?
To allow safe sequencing, avoid congestion, and mitigate risks related to mines and degraded navigation conditions.

4. Who will trigger vessel movements?
Movements will only begin once vessels are contacted through the coordinated mechanism involving IMO, UKMTO, and MICA Center, followed by coastal State coordination.

5. What is the key message to shipmasters right now?
Do not move. Wait to be contacted. Strictly follow instructions issued by relevant coastal States.

Initial Contact & Coordination
6. Do vessels need to proactively contact any authority?
No. Vessels do not need to initiate contact.

7. Who will contact vessels?
UKMTO and the MICA Center will contact vessels directly. See: UKMTO Advisory
In certain circumstances, where necessary, with the assistance of coastal States, vessels may be contacted via VHF channel 16 International Hailing and Distress Channel.

8. What happens once a vessel is contacted?
A vessel will receive instructions to proceed to a designated waiting area and prepare for routing. A vessel can begin coordinating its desired route with the relevant coastal State (Islamic Republic of Iran or Sultanate of Oman) at any time after notification.

9. What if a vessel is not contacted?
Vessels will be contacted in due course. IMO is actively working to ensure accurate awareness of all vessels in the Gulf who desire to be evacuated. IMO is also working closely with industry representative groups with consultative status at IMO.

Waiting Area
10. Where is the waiting area located?
The coordinates are specified in the Notice to Mariners issued by Oman:^ 3 NM RADIUS OF POSITION 26-16.17N/055-46.52E^

(full process posted thread 2 pg33 )

See my post above re coordination

Oman weren’t out of the loop for the 60days
Its all good
Or should have been had the US kept to the deal and kept their dirty fists off what isn’t theirs

Yup. As I posted above, UNCLOS has no mechanism for a state to hand over their water to another, distant. state. Because Land has dominion over water. And the US has no land coastal to the SoH.

We are singing from the same hymn sheet. That was the point I was making...that it was really a message to Trump re his claims.

They are in the same position as Iran but not attacking ships over using the side of the Strait closer to their territorial waters.

Iran didn’t need to attack over it either during the 60 day MoU but they did and well, I hope they’re happy with the result.

Yes it's bonkers on many levels.
Who cares about the EU (and the GCC countries) whining when they have been fully behind this US and Israeli war, the direct consequence of which was Iran closing the SOH. Iran warned repeatedly that they would close the SOH if they were attacked again. With their usual arrogance, the US ignored them, thinking they knew best.
It isn't international waters.
Trump has even declared that he wanted the US to have control over it and charge a 20% toll. The US can't even protect their own assets and their gulf allies.
It's obvious that Oman have been bullied into agreeing use of the Southern channel. Consent under duress is clearly not consent.

And the US isn't even a party to UNCLOS!

Clearly, Oman are not in the position as Iran. The situations are entirely different, as you know.

Why do you hope that Iran are happy with the result? That's an odd thing to say.
Do you really not understand that this is an existential situation for Iran? They know that they cannot trust the Americans, who have repeatedly behaved in a duplicitous way and murdered their supreme leader, his family and many other senior leaders. Imagine what the response would be if Trump and his family plus members of the Repupublican party were murdered. Would you be making similar comments?

Pretty much the only thing they can agree on is a lack of trust for the other side.

Which countries do trust the IRGC? Very, very few which is why no one sensible trusts them to develop the capability for a nuclear weapon.