3 weeks ago
Iran Says Strait of Hormuz Deal With Oman Being Finalised
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway between Iran and Oman where many ships travel.
Oil and other goods pass through it to reach the rest of the world.
Iran and Oman have now agreed on the location of a shipping route through the strait.
The two countries are working on a joint announcement about their agreement.
Under the plan, ships coming in would stay near Iran's side and ships leaving would stay near Oman's side.
Ships would not have to pay tolls or fees to pass through.
Iran's spokesman said the talks have been positive and professional.
However, he warned that the United States and Israel still pose a danger to ships in the strait.
The strait was closed after the US and Israel launched a war against Iran on February 28.
Some officials say it is still too early to say a final deal is done, because important details remain.
Iran's Foreign Ministry said Wednesday that a deal with Oman on a route through the Strait of Hormuz is being 'finalised'.
Iran and Oman have agreed on the geographic coordinates of the proposed shipping route, with a joint announcement in the final review and drafting stage unless 'certain third parties' obstruct the process.
Under the proposal, ships entering the strait would use the route closest to Iran under Tehran's coordination, while exiting ships would use the route closest to Oman, coordinated by Muscat, with no tolls or service fees.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the bilateral understanding would not by itself guarantee security in the strait, citing the US naval blockade and other 'aggressive and threatening actions' against Iran.
Regional sources pushed back against US President Donald Trump's assertion that a deal reopening the strait was imminent, saying important details still had to be agreed.
- Who
- Iran and Oman, with Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei announcing the understanding; US President Donald Trump also commented on a possible deal.
- What
- Iran and Oman reached an understanding on the geographic coordinates of a shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz and are finalising a joint announcement that would give Tehran coordination over ships entering the Gulf, with no tolls for transiting vessels.
- Where
- Strait of Hormuz, the waterway between Iran and Oman; negotiations between Tehran and Muscat, with the story reported from Dubai.
- When
- Wednesday, August 5, when Iran's Foreign Ministry made its statement; the two countries have been holding consultations for about two months.
- Why
- To manage shipping traffic and reopen the strategic waterway amid tensions after the United States and Israel launched war against Iran on February 28; Iran says the US naval blockade and other actions still pose a danger to ships.
Iran and regional officials
US President Donald Trump
Imminence of the deal
Iran and regional officials
Iran says a joint announcement with Oman is in the final review and drafting stage, but regional sources caution that important details still have to be agreed and the understanding would not by itself guarantee security in the strait.
US President Donald Trump
Trump has repeatedly asserted that Tehran is keen to do a deal to reopen the route and that a deal reopening the Strait of Hormuz was imminent.
Security in the strait
Iran and regional officials
Iran says the factors making the Strait of Hormuz insecure remain, particularly the US naval blockade and other 'aggressive and threatening actions' against Iran and its interests, so the US and Israel still pose a danger to ships.
US President Donald Trump
Trump's insistence that a reopening deal is imminent suggests Washington sees a near-term resolution to the standoff rather than an ongoing danger to shipping.
Key facts
- Parties
- Iran and Oman
- Waterway
- Strait of Hormuz
- Route plan
- Entering ships use the route closest to Iran, coordinated by Tehran; exiting ships use the route closest to Oman, coordinated by Muscat
- Tolls
- No tolls or service fees proposed for transiting vessels
- Spokesperson
- Esmaeil Baghaei, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman
- Status
- Joint announcement in final review and drafting stage, pending no third-party obstruction
- US stance
- Trump asserted a deal reopening the strait was imminent; regional sources say important details still have to be agreed
- Context
- US and Israel launched war against Iran on February 28; before the war, Hormuz carried about a fifth of the world's oil and LNG exports
Quotes
Esmaeil Baghaei
Spokesperson for Iran's foreign ministry
“The geographical coordinates of the route envisaged by the two sides have been agreed upon and, if certain third parties do not obstruct the process, the joint statement of the two countries, containing the main considerations and points of agreement, is also in the final review and drafting stage.”
NDTV
“"Iran is trying to formulate the necessary mechanisms for future arrangements for the management of shipping traffic in this strategic crossing, in cooperation with Oman, and the final results of these negotiations will be announced after the conclusion,"”
wionews.com
Sources
New Hormuz Route Agreed With Oman, Says Iran
Iran, Oman Are Finalising Joint Statement On Strait Of Hormuz Shipping Route, Warn 'Certain Third Parties' Not To Hinder Process | Video
Strait of Hormuz deal with Oman being ‘finalised’: Iran’s foreign ministry
Iran and Oman reach understanding on coordinates of route through Hormuz, Iran ministry says
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