Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced that negotiations with Oman on the Strait of Hormuz are in their final stages. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei subsequently clarified that the understandings do not mean the strait is closed or open, but aim to establish a common framework for managing the strategic waterway, according to reports.
Sunday evening at 19:42 Jerusalem time, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that negotiations with Oman on the Strait of Hormuz are in their final stages. Shortly after, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei clarified that the emerging understandings are not intended to declare the strait closed or open, but to establish a common framework for managing the strategic waterway.
As The Zioneer reported earlier Sunday, the initial confirmation came from both the Foreign Ministry and Araghchi personally at 19:42. This follows a Qatari-US compromise proposal in July, which Araghchi reportedly agreed to, establishing a dual-routing system for vessels entering and exiting the Gulf, as The Zioneer reported on July 26. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) formally closed the strait on June 20, citing U.S. and Israeli operations in Lebanon, according to prior reports. Prior to that, on June 19, Iran denied closure reports and said talks were ongoing.
The diplomatic track through Oman and Qatar has advanced, but the IRGC's position remains a key variable. The spokesman's clarification appears aimed at managing expectations, signaling that the outcome will be a negotiated management regime rather than a simple reversal of the closure. Whether the IRGC will endorse any framework remains an open question, as the force has not publicly commented on the latest diplomatic progress.
5 developments
- StrongIran says Strait of Hormuz traffic unchanged despite 'useful' talks with Oman
- DevelopingIranian FM: Strait of Hormuz is not international waters, but a shared maritime route with Oman
- DevelopingIranian Deputy FM: Iran rejects southern route proposal in Oman talks, says 'we will not accept your plans'
- DevelopingIranian deputy foreign minister: Strait of Hormuz reopening is only partial
Source and signal
- Open-source intake