Iran Says Oman Talks on Hormuz Transit Route in Final Stages

Iran said on Wednesday that talks with Oman over transit routes through the Strait of Hormuz are in their final stages, with the geographical coordinates of the proposed route agreed upon. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei told reporters that the two-month talks aimed to determine a safe transit route for commercial shipping, and a joint statement is in the final review stage, provided third parties do not obstruct the process. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi told IRNA that an understanding was reached on almost all issues, including entry and exit points, with most of the route passing through Iran's territorial waters and some through Oman's. Existing temporary routes would be closed, and the new route would be used for two to four months or longer.

Iran has enforced a near-total closure of the strait since the US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, disrupting about 20 percent of global oil and LNG exports. US officials, including President Donald Trump, have said Tehran wants a deal to reopen the strait but have rejected any arrangement leaving Iran in control.