Several European countries have begun negotiations with Iran's Revolutionary Guard Navy to obtain transit authorization through the Strait of Hormuz — a waterway that carried 20% of global oil before Iran's February 28 blockade. Iranian state television announced Thursday that European countries are following the example of China, Japan and Pakistan, which already obtained passage permission, but did not reveal which specific countries are involved. ✓
Press quotes (2)
""hoje recebemos informações de que há europeus que iniciaram negociações com a Marinha da Guarda Revolucionária para atravessar o estreito", anunciou a emissora, sem revelar os países"
""After ships from countries in East Asia, particularly China, Japan and Pakistan, were able to pass through the strait, we received information today that several European countries have begun talks with the navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to seek permission to pass," Iranian state television reported, without specifying which countries were involved"
Iran's Parliamentary National Security Committee President Ebrahim Azizi confirmed Tehran has implemented "a professional traffic management mechanism" in the strait, which will charge fees from commercial ships cooperating with the regime. According to CNN Brasil reports, Iran has charged up to $2 million per vessel for passage. The waterway will remain closed to "Operation Project Freedom" — a U.S. military operation launched May 4 to escort merchant ships, but temporarily paused the following day. ✓
Press quotes (3)
""Serão beneficiados (pelo mecanismo) apenas os navios comerciais e as partes que cooperarem com o Irã", enfatizou, antes de confirmar que será cobrado pedágio de quem quiser atravessar o estreito"
"Segundo relatos, o Irã tem cobrado até US$ 2 milhões por embarcação para a passagem pelo Estreito de Ormuz"
"Operation Project Freedom is a United States military operation launched on 4 May 2026 to escort merchant ships, in response to Iranian attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The operation was temporarily paused on 5 May"
The blockade began after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, which resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and his replacement by Mojtaba Khamenei. President Trump justified "Operation Epic Fury" claiming Iran "rejected every opportunity to renounce their nuclear ambitions" after previous bombings in June 2025. U.S. forces conducted over 5,000 strikes against Iranian targets, reducing Iranian ballistic missile attacks by 90%, according to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. ✓
Press quotes (3)
"Iranian leaders (including new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, whose predecessor and father Ali Khamenei was killed on February 28)"
"Trump said the U.S. sought to make a deal with Iran after bombing three of its nuclear sites in June 2025, but Iran "rejected every opportunity to renounce their nuclear ambitions, and we can't take it anymore.""
"According to Caine, U.S. forces have struck more than 5,000 targets since the campaign began. Iranian ballistic missile attacks have decreased by 90%, drone attacks are down 83%, and more than 50 Iranian naval vessels have been hit"
Trump returned from Beijing Friday after talks with Xi Jinping, stating the Chinese president agreed Iran should reopen the strait, though China has given no indication it intends to intervene. Washington maintains a blockade of Iranian ports despite a precarious ceasefire that took effect April 8. Iraq, affected by the crisis, exported only 10 million barrels in April through the strait, a drastic drop from 93 million monthly before the war. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"Trump voltou de Pequim na sexta-feira, após dois dias de conversas com Xi, e disse que estava considerando suspender as sanções dos EUA contra petroleiras chinesas que compram petróleo iraniano"
"O novo ministro do Petróleo do Iraque, Basim Mohammed, afirmou que o país exportou 10 milhões de barris de petróleo pelo estreito de Hormuz em abril, uma queda em relação aos cerca de 93 milhões de barris mensais que circulavam antes da guerra"
China, Japan and Pakistan already obtained Iranian authorization for strait passage
Iranian blockade of the strait began on February 28, 2026
Covered by only some sources, or where the accounts diverge.
Covered by only some sources (2)
77 commercial ships were redirected by American blockade of Iranian ports
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Which specific European countries are negotiating with Iran for strait passage?
Why it's still unknown: Iranian state television did not reveal the identity of countries involved in the negotiations
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What are the exact fees charged by Iran and how many companies have paid?
Why it's still unknown: CNN Brasil reports fees of up to $2 million per vessel, but it's unclear if any company actually paid
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Why was Operation Project Freedom paused just one day after launch?
Why it's still unknown: Sources mention the operation was temporarily paused on May 5, but don't explain the reasons
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What is the current progress of Pakistan-mediated peace negotiations?
Why it's still unknown: Valor Econômico mentions negotiations have been suspended since last week, but doesn't detail specific rejected proposals