Iran rejects UN-backed plan to free ships trapped in strait of Hormuz

Iran has rejected a UN-backed plan to evacuate hundreds of ships trapped in the strait of Hormuz, blocking coordinates proposed by the International Maritime Organization and Oman for temporary shipping lanes. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps described alternative transit routes as "unacceptable and completely dangerous," demanding coordination with Iranian naval forces for any passage through the strategic waterway.

The rejection undermines efforts to restore free navigation through one of the world's most critical shipping corridors following an Iran-U.S. memorandum of understanding signed last week. Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Ghalibaf indicated the country will not relinquish control of the strait during ongoing negotiations over U.S. sanctions and Iran's nuclear program, signaling the chokepoint will remain a key bargaining tool.