Iran Says Oman Agreement in Final Stages but Urges U.S. Action to Reopen Strait of Hormuz

IRNA

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

Iran said on Sunday that a deal with Oman defining new shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz was in its final stages but reiterated that the strait would only reopen once the United States met other conditions.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday an agreement on the strait that lies between the two countries was in the "final stages" but reiterated comments made on Saturday that it would not reopen it unless other conditions were met.

The agreement would set out the new shipping lanes to be used once the U.S. fulfils those conditions and the strait is reopened, Iran's Mehr news agency quoted him as saying.

Iran and the U.S. are not engaged in talks and Tehran will not start them as long as Washington breaches an interim deal signed in June, Araqchi said, adding that messages ⁠are being exchanged via intermediaries.

A U.S. official told Reuters on Friday that an agreement between Iran and Oman was close ‌and could soon reopen the waterway, which carried a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments before Iran blocked it in response to U.S. and Israeli attacks.

"Once the deal is announced to restore commercial shipping without impediments, the United States will lift the blockade of Iranian ports," the U.S. official told Reuters on condition of anonymity.

U.S. actions would be tied to Iran's implementation of its commitments, the official said.

Araghchi said reopening the strait would depend on conditions including U.S. compensation to Iran for its widespread attacks.

The secretary of Iran's top national security body, Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr, also listed ending U.S. threats against Iran, ‌stopping aggression ⁠against Iran and its Lebanese, Palestinian, Yemeni and Iraqi allies, lifting a blockade and sanctions on Iran and freeing Iranian assets.



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