Iran-US MoU Article 5 Fuels Dispute Over Hormuz Strait Navigation Rules

A memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States has sparked tensions over the Strait of Hormuz, with both sides interpreting its terms differently. The core disagreement centers on Article 5 of the MoU, which governs how vessels should navigate the waterway during the interim period. While both Tehran and Washington broadly agree on the goal of reopening the strait, they diverge sharply on the specific conditions for doing so. Experts have identified this interpretive gap as a key driver of the current unrest in the region.