Iran's president Masoud Pezeshkian has denied reports he repeatedly threatened to resign amid a domestic clash over a potential settlement with the US regarding the strait of Hormuz, according to the Guardian.
Key facts
- Masoud Pezeshkian has denied claims he repeatedly threatened to resign.
- The dispute centres on negotiations with the US over the strait of Hormuz.
- Iran's hardline Assembly of Experts has called US negotiations 'futile'.
- The US and Europe hope a deal to reopen the strait is imminent.
- Oman is under pressure to accept a temporary agreement, which officials in Muscat fear could leave Iran with near-permanent dominance of the channel.
Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, has been forced to deny claims that he repeatedly threatened to resign as he confronts hardline factions opposed to reaching a settlement with the United States over the strait of Hormuz, according to the Guardian.
The denial comes as Pezeshkian battles internal opposition to a potential deal. The Guardian reported that he dismissed talk of an internal rift, even as the hardline Assembly of Experts described negotiations with the US as ‘futile’.
The US and Europe hope a deal to reopen the strait is imminent, the Guardian reported. Both are putting pressure on Oman to accept a temporary agreement.
According to the report, officials in Muscat fear such an agreement would leave Iran retaining near-permanent dominance of the vital oil shipping channel.
Under the arrangement described by the Guardian, ships would enter the strait on a route close to Iran but leave on a route passing through both Iranian and Omani waters.
The strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important passages for oil shipments, making any settlement over its use a significant matter for global energy markets.
Why it matters
The strait of Hormuz is a critical artery for global oil supplies, so any agreement over its control has direct implications for energy markets and prices. Internal divisions within Iran's leadership could shape whether a deal with the US and Europe is reached.
Frequently asked questions
Did Iran's president threaten to resign?
Masoud Pezeshkian has denied claims that he repeatedly threatened to resign, dismissing talk of an internal rift, according to the Guardian.
What is the dispute over the strait of Hormuz about?
The US and Europe hope to reach a deal to reopen the strait. The Guardian reports Oman is under pressure to accept a temporary agreement that Muscat officials fear could leave Iran with near-permanent dominance of the shipping channel.
How would ships travel through the strait under the proposed arrangement?
According to the Guardian, ships would enter the strait on a route close to Iran but leave on a route passing through both Iranian and Omani waters.