Iran announced on the 29th (local time) that it would block anyone who passes through the Strait of Hormuz through a route not designated by Iran, and that it would pursue independent management of the strait if Oman does not cooperate. According to Iranian media outlet Entehub, Iranian Vice Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said in an interview with the state-run IRIB on the 29th (local time), "The Strait of Hormuz issue is a very fundamental and important issue for Iran," and called for an end to the war with the United States. He claimed that this is also reflected in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). He then emphasized, “Iran’s sovereignty must be respected,” and “This means that Iran has the right to exercise sovereignty in the relevant waters.” Garibabadi said management of the Strait of Hormuz is the responsibility of coastal states, adding, “Our priority must be to reach agreement with other coastal states on this management system.” At the same time, he said of Oman, another coastal country, “If for some reason it does not want to establish a joint management system for the future of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran will pursue it alone.”