Tehran/Doha: Iran and Oman have reached an agreement on the details of new entry and exit routes for ships travelling through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. The outcome of talks between the two countries will be conveyed to Gulf nations at a meeting to be held tomorrow in Muscat, Oman.
The semi-official Tasnim news agency reported this, citing sources close to Iran’s negotiating team. According to the report, the agreement was reached following intensive technical and diplomatic talks that concluded at the end of August.
Under the agreement, the new entry route for ships from the Gulf will run entirely through Iran’s territorial waters, while part of the exit route will also fall within Iranian territorial waters. The report states that the strait’s southern route will be closed once the new system comes into effect.
Iran clarifies this does not mean reopening the Strait of Hormuz
However, Iran has made clear that the understanding on the new safe route does not imply the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian sources said Iran has put forward seven conditions for reopening the strait and has communicated them to the United States. They clarified that the strait will not reopen until these conditions are met, and that reopening the route will depend on actions taken by the US.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei also said that the outcome of the Iran-Oman talks on establishing a safe route for ship traffic in Hormuz would be conveyed to representatives of Gulf nations at tomorrow’s meeting. Besides Gulf countries, Iran and Iraq are also expected to attend the meeting.
The Strait of Hormuz connects the Gulf to the Arabian Sea and is a critical waterway for global oil and gas exports. Since Iran and Oman lie on either side of the strait, the two countries have previously held talks on maritime security and shipping matters.
Iran had restricted ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz following unilateral attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran on February 28. The US military subsequently imposed a naval blockade targeting ships travelling to and from Iranian ports.
