The Iranian Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday the agreement between Tehran and Muscat regarding the determination of a temporary shipping route and stated that the executive details of this agreement are being pursued.
History of Iran and Oman Negotiations
This is not the first time news has emerged regarding agreements between the two coastal countries of the Strait of Hormuz. In late August, negotiations between the parties regarding the opening of a temporary shipping corridor and the clearance of mines in the Strait of Hormuz were reported. The Sultanate of Oman, as part of diplomatic efforts to manage the crisis in this region, has been seeking to establish secure arrangements for the passage of ships in cooperation with the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
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Details of the Agreement and Iran's Positions
The Iranian Foreign Ministry has clarified that this agreement regarding the determination of a safe route for the passage of ships is a different matter from the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran believes that any sustainable mechanism for managing this strait must take into account the sovereignty and security considerations of both Iran and Oman.
Ismail Baqaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, stated in an interview with a Tunisian newspaper that the distinction between this agreement and the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz has been made, emphasizing that the Islamic Republic has no hostility towards the countries of the region and pursues a policy of good neighborliness and developing relations with its neighbors.
Recently, Masoud Pezeshkian, the President of Iran, officially invited Haitham bin Tariq, the Sultan of Oman, to visit Iran. At the same time, the Emir of Qatar referred to the damages caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and emphasized the continuation of cooperation with brothers and international partners.
Kazem Gharibabadi, Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran, also stated that Tehran is prepared for both war and diplomacy and is finalizing its response to the American side's considerations regarding the proposal presented by Iran in New York.
Meanwhile, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps emphasizes that the Strait of Hormuz remains closed; this is while American officials have differing opinions. The United States Central Command recently announced that the main shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz have been cleared and are open to all vessels.
Attacks on cargo ships and oil tankers have intensified in recent days, especially in the southern route adjacent to Oman. The naval forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps have claimed responsibility for these attacks and threatened to punish vessels that do not respect the route designated by Iran.
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