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Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, has called for Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states to identify and confront their "real enemy," emphasizing the need for unity in the face of ongoing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. Khamenei's message, released on the occasion of the Prophet Muhammad's birthday, comes as regional mediators attempt to broker a diplomatic resolution to the standoff.
Since the US-Israeli attacks on February 28 that resulted in the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared publicly. His latest statement reflects Iran's continued hardline stance on the strategic waterway, which is crucial for global oil and gas shipments.
The Strait of Hormuz, which saw approximately 20 percent of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas shipments before the war, remains closed to most shipping traffic. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi announced that Iran had reached a temporary maritime agreement with Oman, but its implementation hinges on the United States fulfilling its commitments under a previous memorandum of understanding that expired in mid-June.
As tensions escalate, Iran has been pushing for a renewed diplomatic effort. Meanwhile, Qatar and Pakistan have stepped up mediation efforts, with Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, visiting Tehran to discuss de-escalation and the restoration of shipping through Hormuz.
Despite the diplomatic efforts, the number of vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz remains low. According to Reuters, only seven commodity vessels crossed the strait on Thursday, down from 17 the previous day and below the 10-day average of 15. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) reported that up to 400 ships carrying about 6,000 seafarers have been unable to leave the Gulf safely since the conflict began.
The economic pressure on Iran is also mounting. The country's annual inflation reached 66 percent last month, and President Masoud Pezeshkian acknowledged that imports and exports had fallen nearly 35 percent due to US sanctions and the naval blockade. In response, Pezeshkian has called for the revival of the June interim agreement with Washington.
Washington has continued its sanctions campaign against Iran, targeting Iran-linked individuals and entities. The US has also moved to restrict the branches of Egypt's Banque Misr bank in the United Arab Emirates from dollar transactions over alleged dealings with Tehran.
Despite the pressures, Tehran has shown no sign of yielding on Hormuz. Pezeshkian has instead emphasized the importance of the memorandum of understanding with the US, suggesting that it could be the key to resolving the crisis.
The situation in the Strait of Hormuz remains a critical flashpoint in the ongoing conflict between Iran and the US. As regional and international actors attempt to navigate the complexities of the situation, the future of global energy markets hangs in the balance. With Iran's Supreme Leader calling for Gulf unity and regional mediators working to restore diplomatic channels, the next steps in this tense standoff will be closely watched.
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