Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated Saturday that the agreement with Oman on a new maritime route does not amount to reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and that negotiations on a temporary route are approaching a final result. He reiterated that full reopening remains conditional on US compensation for violations of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, according to Iranian reports.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi clarified Saturday at 15:20 Jerusalem that the agreement reached with Oman on a new maritime route does not constitute a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. He added that negotiations on a temporary route are nearing a final result, while reiterating that full reopening of the strategic waterway remains conditional on US compensation for violations of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.
The clarification follows a series of Iranian statements today. At 13:13 Jerusalem, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stated that the strait's reopening is conditional on the US accepting Iran's full conditions and is not linked to Oman mediation. At 14:35, Araghchi first raised the condition of US compensation. The new 15:20 remarks add that a temporary route is being negotiated as a separate track. Over the past weeks, Iranian officials have offered varying accounts: Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said on June 19 that the reopening is only partial, and Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei stated on August 2 that the Oman agreement is unrelated to reopening. On August 5, Tehran reiterated that reopening remains conditional on US commitments including lifting the naval blockade and releasing frozen funds.
The Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for global oil transit, has been a central lever in Iran's posture. As The Zioneer reported on June 13, Iranian lawmaker Nabavian warned that the draft memorandum lacks clear language on Iranian control, raising concerns that a temporary reopening could erode Tehran's long-standing claim of authority over the waterway. The Trump administration, as reported by The Zioneer on June 17, has insisted on full reopening of the strait as part of the interim deal, while warning that military strikes could resume if the final terms are not met.
It remains unclear whether the temporary route under negotiation will be implemented, what its terms will be, and whether the US will accept Iran's demand for compensation as a prerequisite for full reopening. The gap between the sides' positions on the strait's status persists.
5 developments
- ConfirmedReport: Iran's deputy foreign minister discussed a joint center to manage Hormuz shipping with Oman
- DevelopingIranian Parliament Awaits Final Approval on Proposed Strait of Hormuz Navigation Agreement with Oman
- DevelopingIranian FM: Strait of Hormuz is not international waters, but a shared maritime route with Oman
- StrongIran says it will hold talks with Oman to set fees for Strait of Hormuz passage
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