Iran Says Oman Talks on Strait of Hormuz Navigation Routes Separate From Reopening
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said talks with Oman on new navigation routes in the Strait of Hormuz are separate from any decision to reopen the waterway.
Tehran: Abbas Araghchi, Foreign Minister of Iran, said that the ongoing bilateral negotiations between Iran and Oman are “completely Separate” from the issue of reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
While speaking to the press, he clarified that ongoing discussions with Muscat focus specifically on designating updated navigation lanes for vessel transit, as previous maritime routes are no longer operational.
Araghchi said, “Our negotiations with Oman are ongoing. That is a completely separate matter. It is a technical issue concerning the designation of maritime routes in the Strait of Hormuz for the passage of ships."
He explains that as former transit routes are no longer functional, a new navigation path must be established. He added, “For now, we are designing a temporary route, which can then, at a later stage, be turned into a final route."
While expressing optimism that an agreement could be reached soon, FM's focus on establishing a new maritime channel does not automatically indicate the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
He said, “We may reach an outcome soon, but I want to emphasise that these negotiations and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz are two separate issues. This is a technical negotiation concerning the designation of a maritime route."
FM Abbas Araghchi said that once a temporary route is finalised, any decision related to the opening of the Strait of Hormuz will depend on the US fulfilling specific obligations.
He stated, “Once this route has been determined, whether the Strait will be reopened or not will depend on the fulfilment of other conditions to which the United States must adhere."
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most sensitive geopolitical points where past military standoffs have routinely triggered spikes in international crude prices and fears of broader conflict.
