U.S. Treasury Revokes Iranian Oil License After Tanker Attacks Near Strait of Hormuz

The United States Treasury Department said it is revoking a general license that authorized the sale of Iranian oil after three tankers were reported to have come under attack in and near the Strait of Hormuz, according to Yonhap.

Yonhap reported that on June 21 the Office of Foreign Assets Control issued a temporary 60-day general license authorizing the production, delivery and sale of Iranian oil, after Washington and Tehran signed a preliminary peace agreement aimed at ending their war.

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The attacks were reported by the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) Centre, which Yonhap said is a British entity, and Yonhap cited reports of three tankers struck by unidentified projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz or in an area east of Limah, Oman.

In parallel, India Today said the Trump administration revoked a key licence allowing Iranian oil sales after three commercial vessels were struck by unidentified projectiles near the strategic waterway over the past 24 hours, and it said US officials described Tehran's actions as "wholly unacceptable".

India Today said the decision casts uncertainty over a fragile memorandum of understanding that had paused hostilities between the United States and Iran and created space for negotiations on a broader agreement covering Tehran's nuclear programme and sanctions relief.

India Today also reported that US officials said negotiations with Iran were continuing, and it quoted a senior US official telling Reuters that negotiators remained committed to reaching a final agreement even after the latest escalation in the Gulf.

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Iran rejected accusations linking it to an attack on a Qatari-linked vessel, and India Today quoted Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei saying the claims were "perplexing" and inconsistent with "the principle of good neighborliness."

In a separate account, PressTV quoted an informed official speaking on condition of anonymity warning the United States that "any such act will be met with an immediate and decisive response" and said traffic in the Strait of Hormuz is being conducted strictly in accordance with Iran’s arrangements.

Annahar reported that Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Iran "alone will undertake the mine-clearing operation in the Strait of Hormuz" in accordance with the memorandum of understanding with the United States, and he added that "No country will participate with us" in removing the mines.

Annahar said French President Emmanuel Macron and Omani Sultan Haitham bin Tariq affirmed their support for "freedom of navigation without conditions or restrictions" in the Strait of Hormuz in a joint statement issued during the Sultan's visit to Paris.

The same article said Iran’s position diverged from Muscat’s, with Iran stressing that "the only approved path is the corridor adjacent to its coast," while Annhar reported that Muscat confirmed its rejection of imposing any fees on transit.

In the context of the broader diplomatic framework, PressTV said the 14-point deal requires Iran to ensure toll-free passage for commercial vessels for at least 60 days, with full restoration of traffic in the Strait of Hormuz within 30 days, and it said Iran has maintained restrictions on navigation in the Strait of Hormuz since February 28.