1 hr ago
Iran, Oman Agree on New Strait of Hormuz Routes
Iran and Oman have agreed on plans for ships to enter and leave the Strait of Hormuz.
The proposed routes would partly pass through Iranian waters.
Iran says it would control how the routes operate.
Iran also says the southern route would close when the new system begins.
The agreement does not mean the strait is reopening now.
Iran says it has seven conditions for reopening the waterway.
Iranian officials say reopening depends on the behavior of the United States.
Gulf countries, Iran and Iraq are expected to discuss the plan at a meeting in Oman on Monday.
Iran and Oman agreed on details for new entry and exit routes through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian officials said the entry route and part of the exit route would lie within Iranian territorial waters.
The new system would operate under Iranian arrangements, while the southern route would be closed.
Iran said the agreement does not reopen the waterway and that seven conditions must be met before reopening.
Gulf states, Iran and Iraq are expected to discuss the consultations at a regional meeting in Oman on Monday.
- Who
- Iran and Oman agreed on the proposed routes; Gulf states, Iran and Iraq are expected to discuss them.
- What
- The countries agreed on details for new entry and exit routes and a possible temporary joint shipping corridor in the Strait of Hormuz.
- Where
- The routes concern the Strait of Hormuz, between Iran and Oman; the briefing is scheduled in Muscat, Oman.
- When
- The agreement was reportedly finalized in late August, with a regional meeting scheduled for Monday.
- Why
- The consultations concern safe passage, maritime security and navigation through the strategic waterway.
Iran's Position
United States' Position
Southern route
Iran's Position
Iran says the southern route will be closed once the new route system becomes operational.
United States' Position
Iranian officials said the United States insisted that the southern route must be opened.
Reopening the waterway
Iran's Position
Iran says the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until its seven conditions are implemented and that reopening depends on United States behavior.
United States' Position
The United States is described as having imposed a naval blockade targeting vessels traveling to or from Iranian ports; its stated position on Iran's seven conditions was not provided.
Key facts
- Entry route
- Iranian officials said it lies entirely within Iran's territorial waters.
- Exit route
- A portion of the exit route would also pass through Iranian territorial waters.
- Operating arrangements
- The route would operate under Iranian arrangements.
- Southern route
- Iran said the southern route would close once the new system becomes operational.
- Reopening status
- Iran said the understanding does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
- Iran's conditions
- Iran said it has seven conditions for reopening the waterway.
- Regional meeting
- Gulf foreign ministers, along with Iran and Iraq, are expected to meet in Muscat on Monday.
Quotes
Iranian negotiating-team source
Source close to Iran’s negotiating team cited by Tasnim
“The understanding in no way means that the Strait of Hormuz will be opened”
thehansindia.com
Esmaeil Baghaei
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman
“As part of the agenda, we are going to brief the delegations about the results of the Iran and Oman consultations regarding the safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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