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Responsibility for managing, reopening Hormuz Strait rests solely with Iran: FM

China

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China

Responsibility for managing, reopening Hormuz Strait rests solely with Iran: FM

2026-06-29 01:14 Last Updated At:03:17

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday that Iran alone is responsible for managing and fully reopening maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, and no other country or organization bear responsibility in this regard.

Araghchi, who was on a visit to Iraq, made the remarks at a joint press conference in Baghdad alongside Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein. He warned that any interference in Iran's management of the strategic waterway would constitute a violation of the Iran-U.S. memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed on June 18.

According to Iranian sources on Sunday, all vessels transiting the waterway should continue to coordinate with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to ensure safe passage.

Iran also published recommended shipping routes, advising vessels entering the Persian Gulf to use the corridor south of Iran's Hormuz Island and those departing to pass south of Iran's Larak Island.

It was not specified whether these advisories represent new traffic management rules for the strait.

At the press conference, Araghchi also said that the Iran-U.S. memorandum of understanding includes a ceasefire on all fronts, especially in Lebanon, and that the U.S. government is responsible for ensuring it is observed.

He also urged Israel to immediately halt its attacks on Lebanon and withdraw from occupied Lebanese territory.

Despite the peace MoU and ongoing negotiations toward a final agreement, the United States and Iran exchanged fire over the weekend.

The United States conducted strikes on Iranian targets on Friday and Saturday, citing "continued Iranian aggression against commercial shipping" in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran responded by striking U.S. military positions in West Asia.

Responsibility for managing, reopening Hormuz Strait rests solely with Iran: FM

Responsibility for managing, reopening Hormuz Strait rests solely with Iran: FM

The China Earthquake Administration has initiated a Level-III emergency response on Monday after an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.5 jolted Gaoxian County, Yibin City, southwest China's Sichuan Province.

According to the China Earthquake Networks Center, the earthquake occurred at 00:12 Monday (Beijing Time). The epicenter was monitored at 28.50 degrees north latitude and 104.69 degrees east longitude, with a depth of 6 km.

Residents in Gaoxian County and neighboring Gongxian County reported strong tremors, with furniture visibly displaced indoors. Tremors were also felt in Yibin, and Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan.

No casualties have been reported so far, and local authorities are assessing the impact of the earthquake, said an official from Gaoxian County.

According to local fire and rescue authorities, the first group of 14 rescuers on board three vehicles has reached the epicenter at Shahe Town by 01:00. Local roads remained fully functional, and as of that time, no building collapses or trapped individuals had been found.

China has a four-tier emergency response system, with Level I being the most severe response.

China activates emergency response after 5.5-magnitude quake hits Sichuan

China activates emergency response after 5.5-magnitude quake hits Sichuan

China activates emergency response after 5.5-magnitude quake hits Sichuan

China activates emergency response after 5.5-magnitude quake hits Sichuan

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