Iran Says Oman Understanding Does Not Mean Strait of Hormuz Reopening

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has stressed that any understanding reached with Oman over a proposed new maritime route in the Strait of Hormuz would not amount to reopening the strategic waterway. Speaking to Al Araby Al Jadeed ahead of a regional meeting in Oman, Araghchi said Tehran would present participating countries with details of the agreement and maps outlining the proposed route.

Araghchi made clear that Iran’s position on reopening the Strait of Hormuz remains tied to the United States’ commitments. He said the waterway would only be reopened if Washington returns to its obligations under what he described as the Islamabad memorandum of understanding. The foreign minister also emphasized that Tehran considers regional countries themselves responsible for maintaining security and stability in the region.

The comments came ahead of Monday’s meeting in Oman involving Iran, Iraq and other countries bordering the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. Araghchi expressed hope that the discussions would establish a basis for further regional consultations on shared concerns, while underscoring Iran’s position that security arrangements in the strategically important waterways should be addressed primarily by the countries of the region.