Tehran, Iran – Iran has categorically denied reports of establishing a direct military communication line with the United States, dismissing a proposed hotline aimed at de-escalating tensions in the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) spokesman Hossein Mohebi on Friday called the claims “completely false.”

“Claims by American officials regarding the establishment of a direct line between Iran and the United States concerning the Strait of Hormuz are completely false,” Mohebi wrote on X. “This has not happened and will not happen… The Strait of Hormuz is Iranian territory and has no connection to the United States.”

The denial contradicts statements by US Vice President JD Vance, who claimed after talks in Switzerland that a “channel on the Iranian side” would be set up, implying direct military-to-military communications had been agreed. Vance told UK media UnHerd that Iran would send an IRGC representative to Doha to liaise with CENTCOM.

Iranian state media Press TV had earlier reported the establishment of a communication line after the Swiss talks, aimed at preventing incidents that could trigger military escalation and implementing Article 5 of a recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) concerning commercial shipping.

Tensions flared anew as US Central Command announced strikes on Iranian military facilities Friday in response to an attack on a commercial vessel. On Saturday, Bahrain was hit by drone strikes following the US attack – the first exchange of fire since the MoU was signed on June 17.

Iran insists that vessels transiting the Strait must use a route designated by its armed forces, close to Iranian shores, or risk being turned back or targeted. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) raised the threat level in the Strait to “substantial” on Saturday amid the escalating confrontations.

Source: www.aljazeera.com