A senior political source in Iran told Iranian state-aligned Tasnim news agency Saturday evening that the Strait of Hormuz lies exclusively within the territorial waters and land of Iran and Oman, and any decision regarding its management will be made by the governments of the relevant coastal states. The source also said that a Qatari representative's presence in talks is intended to contribute to Doha's mediation role, not to imply decision-making authority.
A senior political source in Iran told Iranian state-aligned Tasnim news agency on Saturday evening that the Strait of Hormuz lies exclusively within the territorial waters and land of Iran and Oman, and any decision regarding its management will be made by the governments of the relevant coastal states. According to the source, the presence of a Qatari representative in talks is intended to contribute to Doha's mediation role and facilitate an exchange of views, not to imply decision-making authority. The statement was reported by Israeli journalist Sapir Lipkin (N12) and comes as diplomatic efforts intensify in Muscat.
Earlier Saturday at 17:19 Jerusalem, reports emerged of Qatari officials joining Iran-Oman talks on reopening the strait, with discussions focused on a joint statement to fully open the 'middle passage' in international waters. By the same time, reports also indicated Pakistani officials had joined the talks. The Iranian source's remarks today build on a series of coordinated statements from Iranian leadership over recent weeks: as The Zioneer reported, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on June 28 that Iran bears sole responsibility for managing the strait and renewed attacks on shipping; Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf said on June 23 that the strait will be managed under Iranian regulations; and the Foreign Ministry reiterated on June 18 that management is the sole responsibility of Iran and Oman. A joint Iran-Oman statement on June 23 reaffirmed sovereign rights over the waterway.
As The Zioneer has reported, Iran has consistently challenged the strait's status as international waters, with Araghchi calling it a shared maritime route with Oman on June 9 and linking passage to a memorandum with Oman on June 26. The repeated assertions come amid continued tensions over shipping following Iran's attacks on commercial vessels in late June.
It remains unclear whether the latest source's remarks signal a new policy or are a reiteration of established Iranian positions. No specific timeline for any agreement or reopening was mentioned.
6 developments
- DevelopingIranian FM: Strait of Hormuz is not international waters, but a shared maritime route with Oman
- StrongIranian outlets claim Strait of Hormuz remains closed, contradicting US denials
- StrongIranian state media calls on foreign ministry to close Strait of Hormuz over Israel's Lebanon presence
- DevelopingIran's Tasnim news agency confirms clashes with US Navy in Strait of Hormuz
Source and signal
- Internal intake