Hormuz Deal with Oman Close, Reopening Tied to US Compensation

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi said Iran and Oman are 'very close' to an agreement on a legal mechanism and route for managing maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, with a temporary route under discussion.

Iran rules out direct negotiations with the United States, exchanging messages only through intermediaries, until Washington addresses alleged violations of the 14-point Islamabad memorandum of understanding signed in June.

Araghchi said the old traffic separation scheme is no longer acceptable to Iran, and that reopening the waterway depends on conditions beyond the Oman deal, including US compensation and, per Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr, an end to sanctions, blockade, and military action.

A US official told Reuters that Washington expects an agreement between Iran and Oman soon, and would lift its blockade of Iranian ports once commercial shipping resumes without impediments.

In related regional developments, Houthi militants claimed a drone attack on Saudi Aramco's Jazan refinery, which Saudi Arabia said caused a fire that was extinguished with no injuries.

Iran's foreign minister said maritime traffic reached about 60 percent of normal levels within two weeks, but accused the US of violating Clause 5 of the memorandum, which called for normal traffic within a month.