Analysts say the renewed US‑Iran escalation centers on divergent readings of
Article 5 of the memorandum of understanding. Article 5 requires Iran to "make
arrangements... to ensure safe passage of commercial ships" and to work with
Oman to "determine the Strait's future management," but does not clearly grant
Iran exclusive jurisdiction. Iranian commentators say Tehran insists the Strait
is open — not on US terms — and is returning the dispute to the memorandum's
text to argue military force cannot rewrite negotiated outcomes. The
International Crisis Group warns the memorandum's early ambiguity, once useful
to stop fighting, has become a risk; it urges both sides to stop imposing
competing interpretations — specifically that Iran cease firing on vessels and
the US suspend promoting alternative shipping routes, at least temporarily.
Mediators are pushing for talks; no deal yet, though hosts have eased for
now.
