Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei said Sunday that Tehran held several rounds of 'useful' discussions with Oman at the deputy foreign minister level on mechanisms for safe ship traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, but clarified that the actual traffic situation in the strait has not changed. Political and technical consultations continue, according to Baqaei.
Sunday morning, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei clarified that despite what he described as 'useful' discussions with Oman, the actual traffic situation in the Strait of Hormuz has not changed. The clarification follows a series of statements from Tehran since overnight, which initially reported the Omani delegation's departure, then described the talks as constructive, and later as productive. Baqaei said the talks were held at the deputy foreign minister level and that political and technical consultations continue, but added that no change in shipping traffic has occurred.
The Zioneer first reported at 00:07 Jerusalem that Iranian state-aligned media said the Omani delegation was departing Tehran. Shortly after, Iran's Foreign Ministry confirmed the departure and described the talks as 'useful and constructive,' also noting that a bill on the strait is under discussion in parliament. The ministry then reported progress in the weekend talks, and by the same hour, the spokesman called the discussions productive. The current statement, issued around 09:25 Jerusalem, is the first to explicitly state that no change in traffic has been implemented.
The discussions come amid broader diplomatic efforts related to the Strait of Hormuz. As The Zioneer reported on July 12, Iran confirmed talks between the foreign ministers in Muscat, agreeing to continue discussions on maritime traffic. On July 3, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf said Tehran and Muscat had agreed on organizing ship traffic, vowing no American intervention. On July 20, Deputy Foreign Minister Baqeri stated that Iran will not compromise on the strait's passage. The US has also been engaged, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussing freedom of navigation with the UAE on June 24, as The Zioneer reported.
It remains unclear whether the parliamentary bill under discussion will affect traffic management, or if the ongoing political and technical consultations will lead to a change in the near term. The US-Iran lull in hostilities, with the US holding fire for a second consecutive night as of the initial reports, continues, but its relationship to the Oman talks has not been specified by Iranian officials.
5 developments
- StrongIran confirms Muscat talks with Oman, agrees to continue Strait of Hormuz discussions
- DevelopingIranian Foreign Ministry: Shipping in Strait of Hormuz governed by end-of-war memorandum with Oman
- DevelopingIran shipping official: no disruption to Strait of Hormuz shipping, vessels free under Iran's rules
- StrongOman affirms freedom of navigation in Strait of Hormuz, rejects any transit fees
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