Kazem Gharibabadi said Wednesday that the two countries had made progress on determining entry and exit routes for ships using the strategically important waterway, with a final understanding “on the verge of being finalized.”
The talks are focused on establishing a long-term framework for the future administration of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important maritime routes for energy shipments.
***
Gharibabadi cautioned, however, that the emerging agreement should not be interpreted as a full reopening of the strait.
“This understanding does not mean the complete opening of the Strait of Hormuz,” he said.
Instead, he described the emerging arrangement as “a new and different model from the past 60-year practice.”
The comments suggest that Tehran and Muscat are seeking to establish new rules for maritime movement rather than simply restore the previous system.
Gharibabadi said Iran would also need to assess whether the United States was genuinely prepared to return to its commitments before moving into a second phase of the process.
“In order to enter a second phase, Iran needs to assess whether the US is truly prepared to return to its commitments or not,” he said.
The talks with Oman therefore involve both immediate arrangements for maritime traffic and broader questions about how the Strait of Hormuz could be managed in the future.
The waterway connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and is a crucial route for international energy trade. Any changes to shipping arrangements there could have implications well beyond Iran and Oman.
For now, Iranian officials say the discussions with Oman have brought the two sides close to a final understanding, although important questions remain before the next phase can begin.
