TEHRAN, Iran: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Saturday that Iran and Oman are “very close” to reaching an accord on a new shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz.
In a statement, Araghchi said that Iran and Oman were discussing a temporary shipping route while technical and legal issues surrounding a permanent route were resolved.
“The negotiations are ongoing, and given the technical complexities, a temporary route is currently being worked out. In my view, we are very close to reaching a final agreement,” Araghchi said.
A US official, cited by Reuters, on Friday reported progress between Iran and Oman that could soon reopen the Strait of Hormuz, potentially restoring oil exports that have been disrupted by the five-month-old US war with Iran.
US expects deal soon to reopen Hormuz
A US official reported progress between Iran and Oman that could soon reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
The US official, who declined to be identified, said Washington anticipated an agreement soon between the two countries, which sit on either side of the strait, so that normal oil traffic could resume, Reuters reported.
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A deal between Iran and Oman over the strategic waterway is seen as crucial to a wider peace agreement.
“There is progress between Oman and Iran on the strait, and we expect a deal soon,” a US official told Reuters on Friday.
“Once the deal is announced to restore commercial shipping without impediments, the United States will lift the blockade of Iranian ports.”
“As always, US actions will continue to be performance-based and tied to Iran’s implementation of its commitments,” the official said.
Before the US and Israel launched the war on Iran on February 28, about one out of every five barrels of oil consumed worldwide transited the strait, but Iran has used the hostilities to justify charging a toll on oil tankers and firing on ships that attempt to cross the strait without permission.
That disruption in oil shipments has caused energy prices to surge and fuelled inflation.
In recent weeks, the Trump administration has repeatedly signalled that a deal to open the strait could be close, only to have Iran deny that talks are under way.
