Despite the announcement of a peace framework aimed at ending a 107-day conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, deep mistrust persists in Iran, even as limited shipping activity has resumed through the waterway, with two cargo vessels reportedly transiting the strait, though traffic remains significantly below pre-conflict levels. US President Donald Trump claimed ships were moving safely along a southern route, a statement partially supported by ship-tracking data, while Iranian officials, though acknowledging the framework as a step toward de-escalation, emphasized their continued distrust of the United States due to historical grievances and stressed the need for Washington to honor its commitments, including ensuring the "Zionist regime" respects its obligations regarding Lebanon. Iran also clarified that while transit tolls would not be imposed, fees for navigation services, insurance, and environmental protection would still be levied, with US Vice President J.D. Vance confirming an interim agreement was electronically signed and no money had been released, which would remain unchanged.

Despite the announcement of a peace framework aimed at ending a 107-day conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, deep mistrust persists in Iran, even as limited shipping activity has resumed through the waterway, with two cargo vessels reportedly transiting the strait, though traffic remains significantly below pre-conflict levels. US President Donald Trump claimed ships were moving safely along a southern route, a statement partially supported by ship-tracking data, while Iranian officials, though acknowledging the framework as a step toward de-escalation, emphasized their continued distrust of the United States due to historical grievances and stressed the need for Washington to honor its commitments, including ensuring the "Zionist regime" respects its obligations regarding Lebanon. Iran also clarified that while transit tolls would not be imposed, fees for navigation services, insurance, and environmental protection would still be levied, with US Vice President J.D. Vance confirming an interim agreement was electronically signed and no money had been released, which would remain unchanged.

Despite the announcement of a peace framework aimed at ending a 107-day conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, deep mistrust persists in Iran, even as limited shipping activity has resumed through the waterway, with two cargo vessels reportedly transiting the strait, though traffic remains significantly below pre-conflict levels. US President Donald Trump claimed ships were moving safely along a southern route, a statement partially supported by ship-tracking data, while Iranian officials, though acknowledging the framework as a step toward de-escalation, emphasized their continued distrust of the United States due to historical grievances and stressed the need for Washington to honor its commitments, including ensuring the "Zionist regime" respects its obligations regarding Lebanon. Iran also clarified that while transit tolls would not be imposed, fees for navigation services, insurance, and environmental protection would still be levied, with US Vice President J.D. Vance confirming an interim agreement was electronically signed and no money had been released, which would remain unchanged.

Despite the announcement of a peace framework between the US and Iran, deep mistrust continue in Iran, even as limited shipping activity resumed through the Strait of Hormuz.

US President Donald Trump claimed on Truth Social that ships had started moving through the waterway after the two sides finalised a deal aimed at ending the 107-day conflict and reopening the strait.

"Ships are starting to move, many loaded up with Oil, out of the Strait of Hormuz. They are going along the Southern 'Highway,' which is totally safe, secure, and pristine. There are other areas of travel, also!!!," Trump wrote

Ship-tracking data cited in media reports appeared to support signs of movement. Two cargo vessels were reported to be transiting the Strait of Hormuz towards the Gulf of Oman. However, maritime traffic remains well below normal levels. According to maritime intelligence company Windward, only two to five vessels have been crossing the strait daily over the past week, compared to more than 100 ships a day before the conflict erupted on February 28.

Even as the framework agreement seeks to reduce tensions, Iran has made it clear that distrust of Washington remains strong.

"Unfortunately, it must be acknowledged that Iran's deep mistrust of the United States stems from a long history of wrongdoing by American leaders. The United States still has a long way to go before it can earn the trust of the Iranian people," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said.

Baghaei described the agreement as "merely a step toward reducing tensions and ending a war" and stressed that the US must honour its commitments.

"The United States must honour its commitments. It must ensure that the Zionist regime also respects its own regarding Lebanon," he said.

Iran also indicated that while it would not impose transit tolls on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz under the new framework, it would continue to levy charges for maritime services.

"We have always maintained that we do not seek to collect transit tolls, but fees for navigation services, environmental protection, ship insurance and other necessary services will be charged," Baghaei said.

US Vice President J.D. Vance confirmed that an interim agreement had already been electronically signed ahead of a formal signing ceremony in Switzerland.

"We already signed the deal digitally yesterday, and there's been no money released, and that won't change," Vance said.

TAGS