TEHRAN, Iran: Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Saturday that Iran and Oman have reached an agreement on a shipping route map for the Strait of Hormuz after weeks of technical negotiations.
Baghaei told Defa Press that Iran and Oman, the two coastal states bordering the strategic waterway, began intensive negotiations three months ago following the signing of the Islamabad memorandum of understanding on June 18 to establish safe navigation routes.
“Despite US obstruction, the talks have made positive progress over the past three weeks, and an agreement has been reached on the shipping route map,” the spokesperson said.
Baghaei said that Iran and Oman were still negotiating outstanding issues, including a statement to be issued by Tehran and Muscat, noting that exchanges between the two countries would continue until the process was finalised.
Iran MFA Spox Baqaei updates on Iran-Oman Strait of Hormuz agreement:
‘Independent agreement between to coastal states to ensure safe passage of ships’
‘While preserving sovereignty and sovereign rights of BOTH countries’ pic.twitter.com/B1Ty4W9I44
— RT Intl (@RT_on_X) August 15, 2026
Resumption of shipping through Hormuz
The foreign ministry spokesperson stressed that the Iran-Oman arrangement was an independent agreement between the two coastal states aimed at ensuring the safe passage of ships through the strait, while preserving the sovereignty of both countries.
He said, however, that the full restoration of security in the strait and the resumption of normal commercial shipping depended on an end to what he described as illegal US actions, military threats and the naval blockade, as well as compensation for US breaches of commitments in the last two months.
The talks are part of technical negotiations launched under the Islamabad MoU between the US and Iran, which tasked Tehran and Muscat with developing a new navigation framework for the Strait of Hormuz.
While Iran and Oman have continued discussions on shipping routes, Tehran has repeatedly said any decision to reopen the strategic waterway remains contingent on the US fulfilling its obligations under the memorandum.
Trump warns to declare Hormuz as US territory
On Friday, US President Donald Trump said he would “finish defeating” Iran and “soon” declare the Strait of Hormuz part of US territory.
Trump has repeatedly said that the key energy waterway is under US control.
“After we finish defeating Iran, which is being very badly defeated — pretty soon I’ll be declaring the Hormuz Strait a territory of the United States,” he said with a chuckle during a political rally at a police academy in New York state. “It’s true,” he added.
“Pretty soon I’ll be declaring the Hormuz Strait a territory of the United States.”
President Trump floats a dramatic move involving the strategically critical waterway as he says Iran is being “very badly defeated.” pic.twitter.com/zXJhCfOIqH
— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 14, 2026
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi fired back Saturday in a post on X, stressing that the “Strait of Hormuz has been Iranian, is Iranian, and will remain Iranian.”
Also Read: Trump Claims US Has Total Control of Strait of Hormuz
“This strait will only be closed and opened under Iran’s command,” he added.
“We have the blockade. No ships get through unless we want them to,” Trump said to a cheering crowd of supporters and police.
Islamabad MoU ‘only way forward’
On Friday, Pakistan renewed its call for full implementation of the June 18 Islamabad MoU, saying that the agreement offered the “only way forward” towards regional peace and stability.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar received US Charge d’Affaires Natalie A Baker at his office on Friday.
During the meeting, Deputy PM Dar stressed the implementation of the Islamabad MoU to end the US-Iran war.
“He stressed that the implementation of the Islamabad MoU of 18 June, in letter and spirit, is the only way forward,” the Foreign Office said in a statement. Dar also reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace and security while safeguarding its national interests.
The U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Natalie A. Baker called on Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 today.
Discussions centered on Pakistan-U.S. bilateral cooperation and recent regional developments.
DPM/FM appreciated the positive trajectory… pic.twitter.com/qbQHs4GEXS
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 14, 2026
“Discussions centred on Pakistan-US bilateral cooperation and recent regional developments. The US Chargé appreciated Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting regional peace and stability and conveyed felicitations to the DPM/FM on Pakistan’s Independence Day,” the statement added.
The meeting between Baker and Dar was followed by UK High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott calling on the foreign minister. “Recent regional and international developments also figured in the discussion. DPM/FM stressed that the Islamabad MoU should be implemented by the parties in letter and spirit and reaffirmed that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only way forward to address outstanding issues,” said the FO.
UK High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott called on Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 today.
DPM/FM appreciated the positive momentum in Pakistan-UK relations. He recalled his recent meeting with UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband… pic.twitter.com/vHKtExx4hs
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 14, 2026
Islamabad MoU framework
Pakistan has sought to facilitate dialogue between Iran and the United States after helping secure a ceasefire on April 8 and hosting high-level talks between the two sides in Islamabad on April 12 and 13.
Under the Islamabad memorandum of understanding, Iran and the United States committed to halt military operations, reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping and negotiate a comprehensive agreement covering Iran’s nuclear programme, US sanctions and a permanent ceasefire within 60 days.
Pakistan and Qatar later co-mediated the first round of high-level talks in Lucerne, Switzerland, on June 21. The meeting was attended by US Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
Following the meeting, Pakistan and Qatar said significant progress had been made in diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran.
