Emphasis on "Free Access" Masks Reality: Tensions Expected to Escalate

[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 tolls, the ceasefire memorandum of understanding (MOU) specifies 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 it (the Strait of Hormuz) will be open and no tolls will be charged.]

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

However, Iran is telling a different story.

Tehran asserts that it has secured the right to impose fees once the 60-day period for formal negotiations concludes.

[Esmaeil Baghaei / Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson: Costs related to ship insurance and various 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 explicitly states the Strait of Hormuz will be open without tolls for 60 days.

U.S. Vice President Vance, who is leading the negotiations, also expressed hope that free passage would continue through future talks.

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

This effectively acknowledges that the MOU signed by both sides does not guarantee the "permanent free passage" described by President Trump.

Vice President Vance also noted that the MOU is only a page and a half long and lacks specificity, meaning solutions for many key 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 work out the specific details in the technical negotiation phase that will follow.]

Reports have also emerged that support Iran's claim that reconstruction funds for the country were 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.

In what appeared to be a response to this report, President Trump pushed back, calling the claim that the U.S. is paying money 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.