Any potential Iran-Oman agreement on vessel transit arrangements in the Strait of Hormuz is unrelated to its immediate reopening, according to a report, which dismissed US President Donald Trump’s claim that the strategic waterway will be reopened soon.
Quoting an informed source, the IRIB reported on Wednesday that the talks are exclusively between Iran and Oman and are not related to the US.
“If US violations continue, the Strait of Hormuz will not be reopened even if Iran and Oman reach an agreement. The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is contingent upon a change in US conduct and the rectification of its violations,” the source added.
Trump said late on Tuesday that a deal with Iran could come within hours, but Iranian officials have repeatedly denied having direct negotiations with Washington at this stage, saying the talks are only between Tehran and Muscat.
Trump also claimed that the alleged talks with Iran are continuing after calling off a planned “massive attack” on Iran.
Washington is having “very good discussions” with Iran that are “moving along very nicely”, the US president claimed.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Tuesday that the Tehran-Muscat discussions are progressing positively at both technical and political levels between the two countries.
“The talks, which are being held between the two coastal states of the Strait of Hormuz, are focused on establishing safe shipping routes while safeguarding the sovereign rights and security interests of Iran and Oman alike,” Baghaei said.
A source familiar with the negotiations also told Press TV on Tuesday that talks between Tehran and Muscat over a new corridor in the Strait of Hormuz have entered a new phase notwithstanding efforts by the White House to obstruct the process.
According to the source, negotiations with Oman began shortly after a ceasefire was reached in April and entered a more serious stage following a subsequent agreement. Iran, the source said, has been pursuing consultations with Oman and other regional countries regarding future arrangements for the Strait of Hormuz.
The source also said the objective of the talks is to establish a new corridor that would ensure safe passage through the Strait while addressing Iran’s right to sovereignty and security concerns as a coastal state.
The Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy transit routes, has been at the center of contention between Iran and the US ever since the latter waged a war of aggression with Israel against the Islamic Republic.
In response, Iran closed off the strait and began talks with Oman to form a joint mechanism for shipping arrangements.
