With Iran and Oman continuing negotiations to secure a safe passage for merchant ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's Foreign Ministry said on the 5th (local time) that the two countries have agreed on the passage's geographic coordinates.
According to Iran's state-run IRNA news agency, Esmail Baghaei, Spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry, said, "Iran and Oman, the two littoral states bordering the Strait of Hormuz, have been holding talks over the past two months with the goal of establishing a safe passage for merchant ships," and noted, "Iranian authorities have conducted in-depth reviews on various aspects, including technical, legal, security, and environmental matters."
He added, "An agreement has been reached on the proposed passage's geographic coordinates," and explained, "A joint statement between the two countries, containing the main considerations and points of agreement, is currently under review and in the finalization stage."
However, he added that this agreement alone cannot fully guarantee security in the Strait of Hormuz.
He said, "Factors that destabilize the strait still exist, including the United States' maritime blockade and aggressive, threatening actions targeting Iran and Iran's interests."
He went on, "Therefore, the agreement between Iran and Oman by itself cannot fully guarantee the safety of transiting vessels."
Baghaei, the Spokesperson, also said that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi or former chief negotiator and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf do not plan a surprise visit to Pakistan or Qatar this weekend. Pakistan and Qatar have served as mediators between Iran and the United States.
However, he added, "Pakistan and Qatar are continuing efforts to ease tensions in the region, and Iran is maintaining contact with these countries and exchanging views."