A senior Iranian official told Iran’s Press TV on Tuesday that talks between Tehran and Muscat had entered a “new phase” focused on establishing a new corridor to ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels through the strategic waterway.
The official said an agreement could be reached soon, provided Washington does not intervene in the negotiations.
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An arrangement with Oman would seek to protect Iran’s interests as a country bordering the Strait of Hormuz while also ensuring the safe passage of commercial ships, the official said.
The Iranian official accused US President Donald Trump of attempting to influence the negotiations and take credit for any eventual agreement.
He said US involvement had “only slowing the negotiating process”.
The comments come as Washington and Tehran continue discussions over navigation through the strategically important waterways in the region.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday that Iran and the United States had not yet finalized an agreement on passage through the waterways but expressed hope that a deal would be reached “very shortly”.
“There’s been progress made in those talks, but not finality yet,” Rubio said.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy and shipping corridors, connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Any disruption to commercial navigation through the strait could have significant consequences for global trade and energy markets.
Iran’s latest comments suggest that Tehran and Oman are seeking a separate arrangement focused on maritime security and navigation, while negotiations involving Washington remain unresolved.
