Iran said it turned back vessels attempting an unauthorized Hormuz crossing, while accusing Washington of violating their memorandum of understanding.
Key Takeaways
- Iran said one vessel was involved in an accident after attempting an unauthorized route through the Strait of Hormuz.
- Tehran accused the US military of directing ships away from the navigation corridor designated by Iran.
- Iran reiterated it has suspended its commitments under the memorandum of understanding after accusing Washington of violating the agreement.
Vessel Accident in Strait of Hormuz
Iranian state television reported on Monday that a vessel attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz through an unauthorized route was involved in an accident, while several other ships were forced to return to the Gulf.
Citing an informed source, the broadcaster said six vessels attempted early Monday to transit the strategic waterway via an “illegal southern route” at the urging of the US military.
According to the source, one of the vessels was involved in an accident during the attempt, while the remaining ships were turned back “in light of Iran’s firm management” of navigation through the strait.
The source stressed that the route designated by Iran remains the only authorized navigation corridor, describing alternative routes as unsafe and non-navigable.
🚨 STRAIT OF HORMUZ TENSIONS RISE AFTER SHIP INTERCEPTION.
Iran’s state broadcaster says six ships tried to cross the Strait of Hormuz using an unauthorized southern route after switching off their navigation systems. One ship reportedly ran into trouble, while Iranian forces… pic.twitter.com/VZaNDT3pkI
— The Content Factory (@tcf_updates) July 27, 2026
Tehran Reaffirms Control over Navigation
The developments come as the Strait of Hormuz remains closed following the US attacks on Iranian civilian infrastructure and Tehran’s subsequent retaliatory strikes on American military bases across the region.
Iran has repeatedly stated that it is responsible for managing navigation through the waterway under the memorandum of understanding reached with Washington.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi previously said Article 5 of the memorandum stipulates that Iran will make the necessary arrangements to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within one month.
According to Araghchi, the navigation corridor designated by Tehran was established for maritime safety after parts of the area were mined during the conflict.
He accused the United States of directing commercial vessels away from Iran’s designated route and encouraging them to use alternative passages.
Iran, Oman Continue Consultations
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran and Muscat have held several rounds of technical and political consultations on navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Baghaei said deputy foreign ministers from both countries met in Tehran on Friday and Saturday to discuss operational mechanisms for ensuring safe maritime transit while respecting the sovereignty and interests of both Iran and Oman.
He added that coordination between the two countries remains ongoing and said no changes have occurred in navigation traffic under the current arrangements.
IRIB, citing an informed source, reports that six ships attempted to cross the Strait of Hormuz hours ago. One vessel “suffered an incident” — reportedly struck by an IRGC drone — while the other five were forced to turn back. https://t.co/CIKdMia2Hm pic.twitter.com/v9jcCBzl95
— DDF NEWS (@ddfmarketing1) July 27, 2026
Iran Suspends Commitments under MoU
Speaking on Monday, Baghaei said Iran would not allow Washington to dictate “the timing of war and peace,” stressing that Tehran’s decisions are based solely on its national interests.
He accused the United States of violating the memorandum of understanding governing relations between the two countries.
“The United States violated the memorandum and the entire framework it established,” Baghaei said, adding that Iran had consequently suspended its own commitments under the agreement.
He held Washington primarily responsible for the aggression against Iran while calling on regional states to end cooperation with the United States.
Regional Tensions Continue
Baghaei also criticized a recent joint statement issued by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the Gulf Cooperation Council, describing it as “destructive.”
He reiterated that Iran would not negotiate over its defensive capabilities and said Tehran possesses evidence that the new British government had participated in the aggression against Iran.
The foreign ministry spokesperson further condemned what he described as interference by French diplomats in Iran’s internal affairs and criticized Bulgaria for allowing US aircraft to use Sofia Airport during military operations against Iran.
Baghaei also warned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European governments following what he described as an attack on an Iranian vessel, saying those responsible would face “unpredictable consequences.”
The remarks come amid continued tensions following US attacks on Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory operations against American military installations in the Gulf, Syria, and Jordan.
(PC, Al Mayadeen, Iranian TV)
