Emphasis on "Free Access" Masks Uncertainty: Tensions Expected to Rise

[Anchor]

The prospect of a full, permanent reopening of the Strait of Hormuz has become increasingly uncertain. While President Trump insists there will be no transit fees, the ceasefire memorandum of understanding (MOU) explicitly states that the strait will be open free of charge for only 60 days. Iran has already signaled its intention to impose fees once that 60-day period expires.

Park Won-gyeong reports.

[Reporter]

[Donald Trump / U.S. President: We have reached an agreement that (the Strait of Hormuz) will be open and there will be no tolls charged.]

U.S. President Donald Trump claims that the Strait of Hormuz will be open for free and unrestricted passage, just as it was before the war.

However, Iran has a different take.

Tehran claims it has secured the right to impose fees once the 60-day period for main negotiations concludes.

[Esmaeil Baghaei / Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson: Costs related to services such as ship insurance and various other services to be provided by Iran and Oman, based on their respective proportions, will be calculated and collected.]

As controversy grows over whose statement is accurate, a senior U.S. official stated in a press briefing that the ceasefire MOU specifies that the Strait of Hormuz will be open without tolls for 60 days.

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, the lead negotiator, also expressed hope that free passage would continue through future negotiations.

[J.D. Vance / U.S. Vice President: Our expectation is that the Strait of Hormuz will remain open without tolls in the long term.]

This effectively admits that the "permanent free passage" touted by President Trump is not guaranteed by the MOU signed by both parties.

Vice President Vance also noted that the MOU is only a page and a half long and lacks specificity, meaning solutions for many pending issues must be found during the main negotiations.

[J.D. Vance / U.S. Vice President: This MOU is a page and a half long; it is a very high-level document. We will need to find solutions for specific details in the technical negotiation stages that will follow.]

Reports have also emerged that support Iran's claim that reconstruction funding was included in the MOU.

The Financial Times reported that the creation of a $300 billion reconstruction fund, centered on private companies, was discussed during the ceasefire negotiations, citing officials who said that companies from Europe, the U.S., Japan, and South Korea have shown interest.

Seemingly targeting this report, President Trump pushed back, calling the claim that money would be paid to Iran "fake news" spread by the opposition party.

(Video Editing: Park Chun-bae)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.