US Tells Iran of Rejection of Changes in Strait of Hormuz

JAKARTA - The United States has sent a clear message to Iran, especially regarding the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, an Al Arabiya source said on Thursday after indirect talks between the two countries ended in Doha, Qatar.

The US, the source said, informed Iran of its rejection of any change in the current status quo in the Strait of Hormuz, quoted by Al Arabiya (3/7).

Washington told Tehran any change would be considered a violation of the agreement, the source added, noting the United States considers the Mullah's attitude and approach to the situation in Hormuz as the first test of its commitment to the agreement.

"The United States is closely monitoring Iran's movements in the strategic strait," the source added, noting that Tehran was informed of every development, regretting that the freezing of funds, still dependent on its full compliance with the memorandum of understanding.

This comes after Iran on Thursday said US interference in the Strait of Hormuz would trigger a "firm and quick" response, adding that the continued presence of US air assets along the waterway jeopardized regional security, according to government media reports.

The Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, which coordinates the operations of the Iranian armed forces, said all tankers and commercial vessels must follow routes set by Tehran for safe passage through the strait, adding that deviations or failure to comply with navigation protocols would face a direct response.

The next indirect US-Iranian talks will take place after the funeral of Iran's late supreme leader, mediators said on Thursday, as diplomacy moves forward to end the Middle East war.

A senior source told Al Arabiya, the next round of talks will take place on July 18.

The memorandum of understanding signed by the two countries reopened the vital Strait of Hormuz and ended hostilities, but major issues still need to be addressed in talks, including Iran's nuclear program.