Tehran/Washington, 07 August (H.S.): Fresh explosions near Iran's Qeshm Island have heightened tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, further worsening the already fragile security situation in one of the world's most strategically important waterways. The explosions are being viewed as a warning to Tehran at a time when Iran is preparing legislation aimed at restricting the movement of what it describes as hostile foreign vessels.

According to reports by Gulf News and Al Jazeera, citing Iran's Tasnim News Agency, the Iranian Parliament has discussed a proposed bill intended to strengthen Tehran's control over the Strait of Hormuz. Under the proposed legislation, vessels belonging to countries such as the United States and Israel would be prohibited from transiting the waterway, while violations could result in financial penalties.

Meanwhile, Iranian Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf once again commented on the lack of trust between Tehran and Washington through a social media post. He accused the United States of alternating between military threats and calls for diplomacy. Separately, Iran's Ministry of Intelligence announced the arrest of 21 individuals in Kerman Province on allegations of working for Israel's intelligence agency, Mossad.

According to the reports, two explosions occurred on Thursday night near Qeshm Island in Iran's southern Hormozgan Province, close to the entrance of the Strait of Hormuz. The reports said the blasts followed an earlier confrontation involving Iranian armed forces and what officials described as enemy forces. Ahmad Nafisi, Hormozgan's Deputy Governor for Political, Security and Social Affairs, said authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the explosions.

Earlier on Thursday, Saudi news channels Al-Hadath and Al Arabiya reported that Iran and Oman had reached a preliminary framework agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for 60 days. According to China's Xinhua News Agency, the proposed arrangement still requires approval from Iran's Supreme National Security Council.

Under the reported framework, vessels entering the Strait of Hormuz would use the shipping lane adjacent to Iran, while outbound vessels would transit through the channel closer to Oman. No transit fees would be imposed under the arrangement. Following approval by Iran's Supreme National Security Council, the United States and Iran are expected to resume discussions on a broader peace understanding and jointly announce the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz for the safe passage of commercial shipping.

Reports also suggest that indirect contacts between Iran and the United States are continuing through mediators and that the negotiations have entered their final phase. US President Donald Trump has expressed hope that the conflict with Iran will end soon. Meanwhile, Iran has tightened internal security measures in Tehran amid the evolving situation.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar