The Red Sea: Iran's Next Deterrence Strategy

The Red Sea: Iran's Next Deterrence Strategy

The Islamabad memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed on 17 June 2026 ended the initial phase of the Middle East conflict but left control of the Strait of Hormuz deliberately unresolved: it committed Iran only to "best efforts" for safe passage, with a 60-day suspension of transit fees which implicitly provided an opportunity for Iran to reintroduce charges once the window closed.