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Iran says negotiations with Oman over Strait of Hormuz in final stages

From Al Jazeera · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Iran and Oman are in the final stages of negotiations regarding a new maritime route through the Strait of Hormuz.
  • The proposed route aims to respect the sovereign rights and national interests of both nations, separate from existing corridors.
  • Iran blames the US for the strait's closure, citing breaches of commitment and hostile measures, while mediators seek to revive a previous memorandum of understanding.

Iran's foreign minister announced that negotiations with Oman concerning the Strait of Hormuz are nearing completion. Abbas Araghchi stated in a Telegram post that the talks are "on the way to being finalised." This development comes as Iran maintains that the vital waterway will not revert to its pre-war status.

on the way to being finalised

— Abbas AraghchiIran's foreign minister, describing the negotiations with Oman over the Strait of Hormuz.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei elaborated that Tehran and Muscat are close to an agreement on a new maritime route. This route would be distinct from current corridors and designed to "respect the sovereign rights of both sides and safeguard our national interests and security." Baghaei indicated that the understanding has "nothing to do with whether the Strait of Hormuz is reopened or remains closed."

We are now going to reach an understanding on a route acceptable to both sides – neither the northern route nor the southern route – but one that respects the sovereign rights of both sides and safeguards our national interests and security

— Esmail BaghaeiForeign Ministry spokesman, explaining the nature of the proposed maritime route through Hormuz.

Baghaei attributed the strait's closure to "the United States' breach of its commitments, its naval blockade of Iran and all the hostile measures that the United States has taken against the Islamic Republic of Iran." Meanwhile, Iranian parliament's national security commission spokesman Hassam Ghashghavi mentioned that mediators are working to revive a June memorandum of understanding with the US, with Hormuz remaining a central issue. Ghashghavi suggested an Iranian delegation might visit Muscat again as diplomacy continues.

an understanding between Iran and Oman on a new route has nothing to do with whether the Strait of Hormuz is reopened or remains closed

— Esmail BaghaeiForeign Ministry spokesman, clarifying the purpose of the new route negotiations.

The Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately 20 percent of global oil consumption typically passes, borders the territorial waters of both Iran and Oman. Details of the new route remain unclear, but Iran has effectively controlled the strait since the conflict began. Previous attempts to establish a ceasefire, including a June agreement, collapsed due to disputes over shipping routes, leading to renewed fighting.

The strait was closed because of the United States’ breach of its commitments, its naval blockade of Iran and all the hostile measures that the United States has taken against the Islamic Republic of Iran during this period

— Esmail BaghaeiForeign Ministry spokesman, blaming the US for the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Al Jazeera. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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