▲ Ships in the Gulf of Oman, located on the shipping route connecting the Strait of Hormuz and the Arabian Sea.
Amid renewed military clashes between the United States and Iran over control of the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is set to visit Oman, a coastal nation located across from the strait, Iranian state news agency IRNA reported on July 10 (local time).
The agency reported that Minister Araghchi, who is scheduled to lead a diplomatic delegation to Oman on July 11, plans to exchange in-depth views on major issues currently unfolding in the Middle East.
The visit comes as U.S. President Donald Trump has officially declared an end to the ceasefire, with the United States and Iran continuing their standoff.
Despite intense pressure from the U.S., Iran continues to assert its control over the Strait of Hormuz and maintain contact with neighboring countries.
Discussions regarding the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, where military tensions have recently escalated, are expected to be the key agenda of this visit.
Iran has been attacking vessels attempting to pass through the strait outside of designated routes, arguing that the U.S. recognized Iran's control over the Strait of Hormuz in Article 5 of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on ending the war signed with the United States.
Consequently, the U.S., opposing Iran's claims of control over the strait, has conducted airstrikes on Iranian military facilities, and Iran has responded with retaliatory attacks on U.S. military bases in the Middle East over the past few days.
Article 5 of the MOU states, "The Islamic Republic of Iran shall engage in dialogue with the Sultanate of Oman while consulting with Persian Gulf coastal states to define the future management and maritime services of the Strait of Hormuz, in accordance with applicable international law and the sovereignty of the coastal states of the Strait of Hormuz."
Accordingly, Iran has been in discussions with Oman to establish an agency dedicated to managing the Strait of Hormuz and to create joint management regulations, including the collection of transit service fees for the strait.
Oman, which had long opposed the collection of transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz, reportedly shifted its stance following repeated persuasion from Iran and has delivered an official proposal containing plans for vessels using the strait to pay service fees.
At the same time, efforts are underway to prevent further clashes between the U.S. and Iran and to revive diplomatic momentum.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian held a telephone conversation with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the afternoon of July 10 to discuss the recent situation in the Middle East.
According to the Pakistani Prime Minister's Office, Prime Minister Sharif expressed deep concern over the recent escalation of regional tensions and emphasized the urgent need to restore regional peace and stability.
Prime Minister Sharif urged all parties, including Iran, to exercise restraint and requested that they refrain from actions that could jeopardize the peaceful achievements made with difficulty over the past few months and adhere to the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on ending the war.
A Qatari mediation team also visited Iran on July 10 to ease the conflict between the two sides and mediate the resumption of negotiations, U.S. broadcaster CNN reported.
According to sources, the visit was arranged following consultations with the United States.
Pakistan and Qatar have served as key mediators in diplomatic negotiations between the United States and Iran.
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
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