TEHRAN (Realist English). While Iran is conducting a multi‑day farewell ceremony for the slain Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Tehran is continuing to increase pressure on the international community on three key fronts: control over the Strait of Hormuz, the nuclear programme and security during the national mourning period.
Strait of Hormuz: ‘We Will Definitely Collect Fees’
On July 4, Iran’s Ambassador to China, Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli, speaking at the World Peace Forum in Beijing, confirmed that Tehran intends to charge vessels for transiting the Strait of Hormuz. According to him, this is not a “toll” but a “service fee” — compensation for ensuring the safety of navigation and mitigating environmental consequences.
“As a country whose territorial waters are part of the Strait of Hormuz, we will definitely charge service fees,” the diplomat said. He also promised “special conditions” for countries that supported Iran during difficult times, naming China among friendly states.
The annual revenue from such fees is estimated at $40 billion. The initial agreement between the US and Iran, which ended the recent war, allowed commercial vessels to pass through the strait free of charge for 60 days, but the future of this arrangement remains unclear.
Earlier, Iranian sources stated that Tehran intends to secure international recognition of its control over the strait and the right to charge vessels, “even if force is required.” The Trump administration categorically rejects these claims, insisting on freedom of navigation.
According to Bloomberg, on July 3–4, at least eight vessels, including oil tankers, changed course while attempting to leave the Persian Gulf through the Omani side of the strait. Iranian authorities have repeatedly demanded that transiting vessels use only routes approved by Tehran.
Nuclear Site
Parallel to the diplomatic pressure in the Strait of Hormuz, Tehran is continuing construction work at a secret underground facility at Pickaxe Mountain, near the Natanz nuclear complex. According to the Washington‑based Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS), new satellite images from late June 2026 have detected activity at the tunnel entrances.
“The mountain shows vehicle traffic on roads leading to the western tunnel entrances, indicating ongoing work inside the tunnel complex as well as reinforcement of the entrances,” the institute’s report states.
Pickaxe Mountain is a site to which IAEA inspectors have not been granted access. Its precise purpose remains unknown, although analysts believe it may be used for storing nuclear materials. Construction has been ongoing at least since 2020.
Spencer Faragasso, a senior fellow at ISIS, described the continuing work as a “serious concern”: “In my assessment, this is Iran’s insurance policy in case negotiations fail.”
These actions may violate the memorandum of understanding signed between the US and Iran, which obliges Tehran to maintain the status quo of its nuclear programme during negotiations, including refraining from new construction at nuclear sites.
No unusual activity has been detected at Iran’s other key nuclear facilities — in Natanz, Isfahan and Fordow.
Khamenei’s Funeral: Warning to the US and Israel
Against this backdrop, Iran continues the multi‑day farewell ceremony for Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed on February 28 in a joint US‑Israeli strike.
Days before the mourning events, the commander of Iran’s Khatam al‑Anbiya Central Headquarters, General Ali Abdollahi, warned the US and Israel against any military actions during the ceremonies.
“In these great and enlightening days, we warn Iran’s enemies, primarily the United States and the Zionist regime, as well as their regional and extra‑regional allies, against any erroneous actions. We also call on them to remember that the sons of the Iranian people will respond crushingly to any threat or aggression against our beloved country,” Abdollahi said.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) also warned of a harsh response to any US or Israeli actions against Iran during the funeral.
The farewell ceremony for Ali Khamenei began on July 3 in Tehran. High‑level delegations from at least 100 countries are expected to attend. The body will lie in state in Tehran on July 4–5, followed by mourning processions in Qom (July 7) and Iraq (July 8). Burial is scheduled for July 9 in Khamenei’s hometown of Mashhad.
Iran continues to increase pressure on the international community on three fronts simultaneously. Tehran is demonstratively ignoring Washington’s position on the Strait of Hormuz, continuing construction at a nuclear site despite the memorandum, and warning the US and Israel of the consequences of any actions during the national mourning.
Talks on a permanent peace agreement between the US and Iran are expected to resume next week in Pakistan.
