Araghchi says Iran, Oman сlose to agreement on Strait of Hormuz

Iran and Oman are close to reaching an agreement on a new shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz, but its opening also depends on other conditions, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said, according to the ministry's Telegram channel.

"Negotiations with Oman on the legal mechanism for managing the Strait of Hormuz and determining the route for vessel traffic are continuing. We are very close to an agreement, but the opening of the strait also depends on other conditions, including addressing the consequences of the violations of the Islamabad Memorandum committed by the United States," he said at a press conference.

According to Araghchi, the previously used Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) is no longer acceptable to Iran. A new scheme needs to be developed, which involves significant technical and legal complexities.

"Given these complexities, a temporary route is currently being discussed. It will remain in effect until a new permanent scheme is agreed upon and will serve as the basis for it. Iranian and Omani military and naval representatives held talks based on the available maps. Once the results of these talks are finalized, a new route will be determined," the minister said.

Araghchi also accused the United States of violating the Islamabad Memorandum, saying that each such case should be considered separately.

"Iran complied with the fifth provision of the memorandum, according to which shipping was supposed to return to normal levels within a month. Within two weeks, traffic had reached 60% of normal levels. However, despite Iran's warnings, the Americans began seeking the establishment of new routes in the Strait of Hormuz, attempting to challenge Iran"s role in managing the strait. The violation of the memorandum and the questioning of this role are categorically unacceptable to Tehran," Araghchi said.

Stabil.Az