Iran announces agreement with Oman on navigation routes through Hormuz Strait

The spokesperson for Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Esmail Baghaei, announced on Saturday that after several weeks of technical negotiations, Iran and Oman have reached an agreement on the navigation routes map through the Hormuz Strait.

Baghaei informed Defa Press that the two countries bordering the strategic strait, Iran and Oman, began intensive negotiations three months ago, following the signing of a memorandum of understanding on establishing safe navigation routes on June 18.

“Despite the obstacles posed by the United States, positive progress has been made in negotiations over the past three weeks, and an agreement has been reached on the navigation routes map,” he stated.

According to Baghaei, the plan was developed under the coordination of Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with the participation of the country’s defense, security, and environmental agencies.

He added that the parties are still negotiating unresolved issues, including the statement to be issued by Tehran and Muscat. Discussions between the two countries will continue until the final completion of the process.

Baghaei emphasized that the Iran-Oman agreement is an independent accord between the two coastal states, aimed at ensuring the safe passage of ships through the strait while maintaining the sovereignty of both countries.

At the same time, he noted that the full restoration of security in the strait and the resumption of normal commercial navigation depends on U.S. actions, military threats, and the cessation of naval blockades, as well as compensating for the violations of commitments undertaken by Washington in the past two months.

The negotiations are being held within the framework of technical discussions initiated by the Iran-U.S. understanding memorandum, which tasked Tehran and Muscat with developing a new navigation system for the Hormuz Strait.

While Iran and Oman continue discussions regarding navigation routes, Tehran has repeatedly stated that any decision regarding the reopening of the strategically significant strait is contingent upon the U.S. fulfilling the commitments made under the memorandum.