Iran and Oman are reported to be very close to an agreement in talks to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran's state-run IRNA reported that on Aug. 8 local time, Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi attended President Masoud Pezeshkian's press conference and stated accordingly.
The Minister, however, argued that to fully reopen the strait, additional conditions must be met, including compensation for the United States' violation of the Islamabad memorandum of understanding (MOU).
Iran also holds that the existing traffic separation scheme (TSS) routes in the Strait of Hormuz need to be reviewed. The Minister said the current routes are no longer suitable, adding that the militaries of Iran and Oman are negotiating to finalize new temporary routes. Until the new routes are set, vessel traffic is expected to proceed based on the existing routes.
Araqchi said that after the MOU was signed, traffic through the strait at one point recovered to 60% of normal levels, but restrictions reemerged when the United States attempted to open new routes.
Earlier, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that Iran and Oman had aligned on the core of a draft agreement that would designate inbound lanes on the Iranian side and outbound lanes on the Omani side.
According to the reported draft, ships entering the Strait of Hormuz would coordinate with Iran and use Iranian territorial routes, while those exiting would coordinate with Oman and pass through Omani waters. Iran is said to be discussing a framework under which it would have certain control over ships entering the Persian Gulf but would not be allowed to charge tolls or service fees.