Iran, Oman Agree on Hormuz Transit Route
Iran and Oman have agreed on a route for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz and are finalizing arrangements for jointly managing the strategic waterway, according to Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei. The geographical coordinates of the route have been agreed upon, and a joint statement containing the main considerations and points of agreement is in the final review and drafting stage. However, Baqaei stressed that any reopening of the strait would depend on the United States fulfilling its commitment to end its naval blockade of Iran’s ports.
The agreement would be a step towards reopening the key energy route, which has been closed since the United States and Israel launched their war against Iran on February 28. Before the war, the Strait of Hormuz carried around a fifth of the world’s oil and LNG exports, and prices have repeatedly surged since the dispute over the waterway erupted. Iran has exercised de facto control of the waterway and threatened any vessels transiting routes it deems unauthorized.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly insisted that Tehran is keen for a deal to reopen Hormuz, but Iran has denied this and said it will instead make arrangements with its neighbor across the strait, Oman. The factors making the Strait of Hormuz insecure still exist on the part of the United States, particularly the naval blockade and other aggressive and threatening actions against Iran and its interests, according to Baqaei.
The Strait of Hormuz dispute is connected to the prior conflict between Iran and the United States, which has been escalating since the US imposed sanctions on Iran.
