Iranian Revolutionary Guards Challenge Negotiations to Reopen Strait of Hormuz Amid Internal Power Struggles

Arab mediators working to broker an agreement with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz are concerned that Tehran's negotiators lack sufficient authority to ensure compliance, even if a deal is reached, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal on Friday. Iranian diplomats face intense pressure from the Revolutionary Guards and hardline factions to secure immediate economic benefits.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf supported a plan dividing the strait's navigation into an entry route near Iran and an exit route near Oman, recognizing Tehran's influence over the shipping lane. However, talks stalled after the Revolutionary Guards demanded explicit recognition of Iran's role and clear benefits, including the right to collect transit fees from ships and guarantees that the U.S. would lift sanctions and the oil export embargo.

The Revolutionary Guards, praised domestically for their stance against the U.S., have signaled they could escalate attacks on vessels in the strait if the agreement fails to deliver sufficient gains. Due to this pressure, discussions have expanded beyond a temporary reopening deal to include measures addressing Iran's economic crisis, such as sanctions relief to enable oil exports and the release of frozen Iranian funds, steps previously outlined in a June memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Iran but since stalled.

The report highlights the difficulty of securing a stable agreement, as Iranian diplomats seek urgent economic relief while the Revolutionary Guards leverage threats of renewed attacks to extract further concessions. Mediators doubt whether Iranian representatives can enforce any agreement across all centers of power within the country.