Iran, Oman make progress on safe commercial shipping route through Strait of Hormuz

Iran and Oman have made progress towards establishing a safe commercial shipping corridor through the Strait of Hormuz, with the two countries reaching an understanding on the proposed route’s geographical coordinates, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said.

Baghaei said the two sides are now working on a joint statement outlining the points agreed upon, provided “certain third parties” do not disrupt the process.

Iran and Oman have been consulting on the proposed corridor for the past two months, examining its technical, legal, security and environmental aspects, he said.

Baghaei, however, clarified that the understanding between the two countries does not mean the Strait of Hormuz is currently safe for commercial vessels. He attributed the closure of the waterway to what he described as US and Israeli “military aggression” against Iran and the resulting security situation in the region.

He said US maritime restrictions and other “aggressive and threatening” measures against Iran and its interests remain in place.

Baghaei also said there were currently no plans for Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi or Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf to visit Pakistan or Qatar this weekend.

He said Pakistan and Qatar were continuing efforts to ease regional tensions, while Tehran remained in contact with both countries and was exchanging views with them.

Separately, Araghchi discussed the latest diplomatic developments between Iran and Oman with his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani during a phone call on Wednesday, Iran’s official IRNA news agency reported.

The two foreign ministers stressed the need to continue political and diplomatic consultations and strengthen regional cooperation to help reduce tensions, according to IRNA.

Iran tightened restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz on February 28, preventing safe passage for vessels linked to Israel and the United States following joint strikes on Iranian territory.

The US military subsequently carried out several waves of strikes on Iranian targets, saying they were aimed at reducing Tehran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping and were in response to Iranian attacks on vessels in the strait.

Iran retaliated with missile and drone strikes against US military bases and facilities across the region.