Iran and Oman are “very close” to reaching an agreement on a new shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Saturday, while noting that Tehran has attached several conditions to the proposed arrangement.
Araghchi said the conditions include compensation for what Iran describes as US violations of the Islamabad memorandum of understanding. He added that the two countries are currently discussing a temporary shipping route while technical and legal issues related to establishing a permanent route are resolved.
Oman, meanwhile, described its negotiations with Iran over the future management of navigation through the strait as “positive and constructive,” while warning against continued attacks on commercial shipping.
Oman’s Foreign Ministry condemned what it called “repeated attacks on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz,” without directly identifying those responsible. It said the ongoing talks on navigation arrangements were taking place in a positive and constructive atmosphere and urged all parties to avoid actions that could undermine the progress achieved.
Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance said Washington would continue to pressure Iran, arguing that “the Iranians are in pain and want to end the matter.”
Vance said the United States was working to “establish a path that allows ships to pass safely through the Strait of Hormuz.”
He added that Iran had informed Washington that it would permit the maximum possible flow of oil through the strait, but said the United States remained skeptical of the commitment.
According to Vance, the proposed arrangement would also include a pledge by Iran not to attack commercial vessels transiting the strategic waterway.
