Iran Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei confirmed Saturday (June 21) that among the first items tackled in the Geneva negotiations was safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, and that a mechanism has been set up. The US-Iran memorandum sets a 30-day window for minesweeping operations, which may take longer, meaning normal vessel movements cannot resume until clearing is completed. The negotiations face the added complication of Iran re-closing the strait on June 20, using the closure as leverage to force a full Lebanon ceasefire. The International Maritime Organization and World Shipping Council have stressed freedom of navigation, but commercial traffic remains at near-zero levels heading into the third week of negotiations.
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