Iran and Oman made progress in talks on managing the Strait of Hormuz, focusing on safe passage and sovereign rights.
TEHRAN: Iran said it had made progress in talks with Oman on managing the Strait of Hormuz, with discussions focusing on safe passage and sovereign rights.
Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said several rounds of negotiations were held on Friday and Saturday in the Iranian capital between deputy foreign ministers.
The discussions focused on “common principles and operational mechanisms” for ensuring the safe passage of shipping through the strait while respecting the sovereign rights of the two states, Baqaei said.
He described the talks as “useful” and said progress had been made, adding that “technical and political consultations between the two sides were continuing”.
The talks come after the United States resumed attacks on Iran in an effort to end Tehran’s control of the strait, following a June memorandum of understanding that briefly eased tensions. In June, Oman and Iran said they would discuss imposing service fees, a move Washington opposes. Muscat also said ships could transit via its waters, angering Tehran, which escalated.
Iran said on Saturday it had not recorded any US attacks after nearly two weeks of strikes. According to Axios, the Pentagon presented President Donald Trump with a plan for a 14th consecutive night of strikes, but he declined in favour of renewed talks after an Omani delegation arrived in Tehran.
Baqaei said there had been “no change” in the status of shipping traffic. On Sunday, Iran’s armed forces stopped six vessels attempting to transit after warnings.
