Tehran says a possible understanding with Oman does not mean reopening the Strait of Hormuz

Tehran says a possible understanding with Oman does not mean reopening the Strait of Hormuz

🔸 Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson says that the likely achievement of an agreement between Iran and Oman regarding “temporary and safe routes” in the Strait of Hormuz “does not necessarily mean establishing complete and enduring security” in the waterway.

🔸 Ismail Baghaei said on Saturday, September 21, that a meeting on Monday in Oman, focused on “setting out the memorandum of understanding” between Tehran and Muscat—two coastal states of the Strait of Hormuz—will be held.

🔸 He also claimed that the United States and Israel are responsible for the continued insecurity in the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf, and said that establishing lasting security on shipping lanes depends on the stopping of U.S. military actions and the lifting of Iran’s naval blockade.

🔸 At the same time, the state-run news agencies Tasnim and Mehr, citing an “informed source,” reported that under this understanding, the entry route to the Persian Gulf would be fully and part of the route out of it located in Iran’s territorial waters, and transit along this route would be carried out under “Iranian arrangements.”

🔸 The source claimed that after the understanding is implemented, the southern route—which, according to him, the U.S. insisted on opening—will be closed.

🔸 These explanations were published while news emerged about a meeting of the foreign ministers of Iran and some regional Arab countries on Monday, September 23, in Oman, which has faced harsh criticisms from some figures and media outlets close to the government.

🔸 According to the text published by Mehr and Tasnim, the final agreement between Tehran and Muscat was reached in early September, and the Gulf and Iraqi coastal states at the Monday meeting will only be informed of its details and will have no role in decision-making regarding the understanding.