Iran Says Oman-Hormuz Talks Are Bilateral, U.S. Issues to Be Discussed Later

While U.S. President Donald Trump has hinted at resuming negotiations with Iran, Tehran has stated that it is not negotiating with the United States at this stage, preferring to monitor how the situation unfolds before addressing the matter in the next phase.

According to Iranian state media outlets such as the IRNA news agency on the 3rd local time, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei made the remarks during a briefing when asked whether recent mediated talks with the United States through Oman aimed to restore previous memorandums of understanding (MOUs).

"Negotiations with Oman are focused on agreeing upon safe passage routes for vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz," he explained. "Our goal is to cooperate with Oman to determine a temporary route as quickly as possible that can facilitate maritime shipping in the Strait of Hormuz."

Baghaei drew a line by adding, "These talks are bilateral negotiations between the two coastal states. While other countries can play a constructive or destructive role, this is entirely a matter between Iran and Oman."

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

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

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

"Therefore, negotiations with Oman will focus on the issue of strait transit, and issues related to the United States will be addressed in the next phase after watching how the situation develops," Baghaei added.

Regarding the possibility that the negotiations with Oman regarding the Strait of Hormuz could lead to a easing of regional tensions or other diplomatic procedures, he showed a cautious stance, saying, "We have to wait and see."

Asked about the possibility of resuming negotiations with the U.S. through the visit of a special envoy, he briefly replied, "At present, there are no plans for us to host or send any delegations."

When asked about the specific shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz being discussed in the process of negotiations with Oman, Baghaei responded, "The discussions so far have focused on the idea of merging the southern route passing through Omani territorial waters and the northern route passing through Iranian territorial waters into a single 'median route.'"

He explained, "This route will take a form that satisfies the interests and considerations of both coastal states."

Regarding the operational method of the route, he emphasized, "We are currently discussing a single corridor capable of two-way traffic, rather than two or three separate routes."

Baghaei added, "This median route is intended for temporary use until a final decision is made on a permanent route, and it will replace the existing method known in international shipping terms as the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS)."

When asked whether the negotiations with Oman include a plan to collect ship passage fees, Baghaei avoided making specific remarks.

However, he hinted that Iran's interests would be fully reflected, stating, "In principle, any agreement regarding vessel transit between the two coastal states will comprehensively consider and review all matters related to the sovereignty and sovereign rights of both countries, as well as national security, national interests, and maritime services."

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

The broadcaster reported, "The compromise plan coordinated by the U.S. and Qatar is centered on a scheme where vessels enter the Persian Gulf through the Iranian-controlled zone and exit in the opposite direction through Omani waters."

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.