Iran Rejects Direct US Military Hotline for Strait of Hormuz

Iran stated on June 27 2026 that no direct military communication line with the United States will be established in the Strait of Hormuz. IRGC spokesman Hossein Mohebi wrote on X that claims by American officials of such a line are completely false and that the strait is Iranian territory with no connection to the United States.

US and Iranian forces exchanged fire on June 27 and 28 after commercial vessels sailing outside a channel designated by Tehran were targeted by unknown perpetrators.

The Singapore-flagged container ship Ever Lovely was hit by an unknown projectile on June 25 while following a route recommended by UKMTO. It had been stranded at sea for over 100 days after unloading cargo in an Iraqi port. US Central Command stated on June 27 that it targeted military facilities on Iran’s southern coastline in response to the attack on the Ever Lovely.

Bahrain faced drone strikes on June 28. These were the first exchanges of fire between the two sides since the MoU was signed on June 17. Vice President JD Vance said on June 23 that Iran had agreed to send an IRGC representative to Doha to meet a CENTCOM representative.

Press TV reported on June 27 that a communication line had been established after talks in Switzerland. Mohebi’s statement rejected direct military-to-military contact while leaving open whether civilian channels might operate. The UKMTO raised the threat level in the Strait of Hormuz to substantial on June 28.

The MoU followed the start of the US-Israeli military offensive on Iran on February 28. Iran has demanded that vessels use a route designated by its armed forces near its shores.