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MoU Signed June 17: Iran Retains Control Over Strait of Hormuz with 60-Day Free Passage

Intl. RelationsSecurity & DefenceEnvironmentEconomyCORE
Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link
01 Jul 2026
~2 min
Source: The Hindu
Key Data:February 28, 2026June 17, 202660 days30 daysArticle 5
Bodies:Iran (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps - IRGC)United StatesOmanPersian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA)QatarSaudi ArabiaUnited Arab Emirates
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What This Article Covers

1.Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz after the US-Israel attack on February 28, 2026, and has retained control despite US bombing, blockade, and Operation Project Freedom.

2.MoU Article 5: Iran will arrange safe passage for commercial vessels free for 60 days, remove mines within 30 days, and will negotiate future administration with Oman and other Gulf states.

3.Iran created the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) to enforce its designated route and service fees, demonstrating deterrence and a new regional order.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

Iran has reasserted control over the Strait of Hormuz following the US-Israel war, maintaining its grip despite US military and diplomatic pressure. The MoU signed on June 17 allows 60-day free passage but leaves future administration in Iran's hands, marking a strategic shift in Persian Gulf power dynamics. This has direct implications for global energy security and India's energy imports.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

MoU SignedJune 17, 2026
Free Passage Duration60 days only
Mine Removal TimelineWithin 30 days of MoU
Key ArticleArticle 5 of MoU
New Authority CreatedPersian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA)
War Start DateFebruary 28, 2026

1-Minute Revision

  • ›MoU Signed: June 17, 2026
  • ›Free Passage Duration: 60 days only
  • ›Target this Data: MoU signed on June 17, 2026; 60-day free passage; mines to be removed within 30 days.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) created by Iran.
  • ›Target this Legal Point: Article 5 of the MoU between US and Iran.

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Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which strait is described as a critical energy and economic chokepoint connecting the Persian Gulf with the Arabian Sea through the Gulf of Oman?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the Strait of Hormuz situation:

1. Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz after the US-Israel attack on February 28, 2026.

2. The MoU signed on June 17, 2026, provides free passage for commercial vessels for 60 days only.

3. After the MoU, Iran agreed to hold direct technical talks with the US to define future administration.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the MoU between the US and Iran, within how many days must Iran remove mines and other technical impediments from the Strait of Hormuz?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is Iran's primary strategic objective in retaining control over the Strait of Hormuz, as inferred from the article?

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