Bloomberg Surveillance · Thursday, July 9, 2026
Following US military strikes on Iranian targets, General Karen Gibson notes that differing interpretations between the US and Iran regarding vessel transit through the Strait of Hormuz could lead to prolonged conflict. She highlights the Iranians' insistence on controlling transit, which the US staunchly opposes, leaving little room for compromise.
“This is very reminiscent, obviously of the tip for tat strikes and counter strikes that we went through in late June at essence at Core. I think it is a difference of opinion, a difference of interpretation between what how the US and Iran are viewing the rules that we agreed to in the MoU, supposedly for the transit of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.”
“The Iranians are insistent that they will control the transit of vessels through the strait, and of course that's something that we staunchly oppose, and I see very little room for overlap between these differing viewpoints between Iran and the United States.”
“I don't see a speedy Resolution of this essential difference.”