Iran said on the 2nd (local time) that talks with Oman on a plan to manage the Strait of Hormuz were in the final stage.
Esmaeil Baghaei, Spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry, said in a state TV interview the same day that "we will reach an agreement on a route that both sides (Iran and Oman) can accept," adding, "this is neither the northern route nor the southern route, but a route that respects both countries' sovereignty and protects our national interests and security."
In the Strait of Hormuz, the northern route is the one closer to Iran, and the southern route refers to the route near Oman where the United States escorts merchant ships. Claiming control over the entire strait, Iran has attacked ships moving along the northern route.
Spokesperson Baghaei said that under Article 5 of the cease-fire memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed with the United States, Iran will take charge of managing the Strait of Hormuz after consultations with Oman, adding, "in no case will the Strait of Hormuz ever return to its previous state." He again emphasized that it would not give up control of the strait.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also said in a report just before the cabinet meeting that negotiations with Oman over the Strait of Hormuz had entered the final phase. As these talks concern a core issue of the agreement between the United States and Iran in June to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, attention is on whether a compromise acceptable to the United States will be produced.
Article 5 of the cease-fire MOU that Iran signed with the United States includes language that "Iran will do its utmost to take measures for the safe passage of commercial vessels," and that it will consult with Persian Gulf littoral states to establish strait management and maritime service regulations and also hold talks with Oman.
On that basis, Iran has claimed that it holds the authority to manage the Strait of Hormuz. The United States, by contrast, has insisted that freedom of navigation under international law must be guaranteed, while Iran has gone so far as to attack ships using the southern route rather than the northern route it designated.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump, who has temporarily suspended plans for a large-scale offensive against Iran, suggested the same day that an agreement had been reached with Iran on opening the Strait of Hormuz. He said follow-up talks between the United States and Iran would be held on the afternoon of the 3rd U.S. time.