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🇧🇩 Bangladesh /Conflict & Security

Iran-Oman discuss Hormuz corridor, but Iran demands U.S. end war for reopening

From Daily Star · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Context piece
  • Iran and Oman are discussing a temporary transit corridor and mine-clearing operations for the Strait of Hormuz, but Iran insists the waterway will only reopen if the U.S. ends its war and sanctions.
  • Traffic through the vital Strait of Hormuz, which normally carries about one-fifth of global oil and LNG exports, remains largely paralyzed due to the ongoing conflict and counter-blockades by Iran and the U.S.
  • Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister warned that no military vessels will be allowed passage and accused the U.S. of propaganda regarding mine removal, demanding the U.S. fulfill its commitments before any reopening.

Iran and Oman are engaged in discussions regarding a potential "joint temporary navigational corridor" through the Strait of Hormuz and a joint mine-clearing project. However, Iran has firmly stated that the vital waterway will not be reopened unless the United States ends its ongoing war and lifts its economic sanctions.

We closed the Strait of Hormuz before the United States imposed an economic blockade because the United States failed to fulfil its commitments under the memorandum of understanding.

— Kazem GharibabadiIranian Deputy Foreign Minister explaining Iran's reasons for closing the Strait of Hormuz.

Discussions between Iranian and Omani foreign ministers in Tehran outlined a "phased framework" for managing transit through the strait. This initiative stems from a June memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Iran. Iran's top diplomat, Abbas Araghchi, highlighted this framework as evidence of Iran's "commitment to peace and stability" through diplomacy with its neighbors.

Traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy exports, has been severely disrupted for nearly six months following the outbreak of war between the United States and Israel against Iran. Iran blockaded the strait, which typically handles about 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas, while the U.S. imposed a naval counter-blockade on Iranian ports.

Before any action is taken to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the United States must fully implement all of the commitments it has violated.

— Kazem GharibabadiIranian Deputy Foreign Minister stating the conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi issued a stern warning that no military vessels would be permitted passage. He stated that Iran closed the strait in response to the U.S. economic blockade and its failure to meet commitments under the memorandum of understanding. Gharibabadi dismissed U.S. claims of mine removal as "propaganda deception" and asserted that Iran would target any U.S. minesweepers entering the area. He reiterated that the U.S. must fully implement all violated commitments, including ending the war and lifting its blockade, before the Strait of Hormuz can be reopened.

such claims were 'propaganda deception'

— Kazem GharibabadiIranian Deputy Foreign Minister dismissing U.S. claims about mine removal in the Strait of Hormuz.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Daily Star in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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