Iran: Bilateral Talks With Oman on Hormuz, U.S. Issues to Be Discussed Later

▲ Commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz

Although U.S. President Donald Trump has signaled the resumption of negotiations with Iran, the Iranian side has stated that it is not negotiating with the United States at this stage, adding that it will monitor how the situation unfolds before addressing the matter in the next phase.

According to Iran's state-run IRNA news agency and other outlets on the 3rd local time, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmail Baghaei made the remarks during a briefing when asked whether recent mediation talks with the U.S. via Oman aimed to restore a previous memorandum of understanding (MOU).

He explained, "The negotiations with Oman are focused on agreeing on safe transit routes for vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz," adding, "Our goal is to cooperate with Oman to determine temporary routes as soon as possible to facilitate shipping in the Strait of Hormuz."

Baghaei went on to emphasize, "These negotiations are bilateral talks between the two coastal nations," drawing a clear line by stating, "While other countries can play constructive or destructive roles, this is entirely a matter between Iran and Oman."

Baghaei also made it clear that an agreement on safe passage routes for vessels is a "necessary condition" for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, but not a "sufficient condition."

He pointed out, "The Strait of Hormuz was not closed due to disagreements between Iran and Oman, but rather faced problems due to military aggression by the United States and the Zionist regime (Israel) starting last year."

He further warned, "As long as the military aggression by the United States targeting Iran and Iranian interests, as well as all past violations, continues, there will be no fundamental or significant change in the situation of the Strait of Hormuz."

Finally, he added, "Therefore, the negotiations with Oman will focus on the issue of strait navigation, and issues related to the United States will be addressed in the next stage after observing how the situation unfolds."

Previously, Israel's Channel 12 reported that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had agreed to a compromise plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, after which President Trump abruptly called off airstrikes.

The broadcast reported, "The compromise plan, coordinated by the United States and Qatar, centers on vessels entering the Persian Gulf through Iranian-controlled zones and exiting via Omani territorial waters on the opposite side."

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)

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