Iran's foreign minister said that his country and Oman are 'very close' to finalizing an agreement on a new shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz, according to an Israeli media report. The claim adds to the ongoing diplomatic efforts surrounding the strategic waterway.
Iran's foreign minister claimed Saturday evening that his country and Oman are "very close" to finalizing an agreement on a new shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz, according to an Israeli media report. The claim adds to a flurry of diplomatic statements on the strategic waterway, through which approximately one-fifth of the world's oil supply passes.
Earlier Saturday, at 13:13 Jerusalem, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that the Strait of Hormuz will reopen only when the United States accepts Iran's full set of conditions. The IRGC spokesman later clarified that the reopening is not linked to Oman mediation efforts. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi then stated that reopening is conditional on US compensation for violations of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, and later clarified that the agreement with Oman does not mean reopening, but that negotiations on a temporary maritime route are nearing a final result. The new claim appears to be a continuation of that process, with Araghchi now expressing that a deal is "very close."
As The Zioneer reported on June 12, Araghchi asserted that the strait is under the exclusive sovereignty of Iran and Oman and outlined a post-war management plan with a joint toll system. On July 27, Omani mediators expressed optimism about a breakthrough in the coming days, according to Bloomberg. On August 5, Iran's deputy foreign minister discussed a joint center with Oman to manage shipping and receive vessel coordinates. The US has also signaled a framework deal that would reopen the strait without tolls, as reported by The Zioneer on June 14.
The precise details of the proposed new shipping route remain unclear, and the claim has not been independently corroborated. The IRGC's earlier insistence that reopening is not linked to Oman mediation points to internal divisions within Iran over the approach to the waterway.
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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