Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said an agreement with Oman on a safe shipping route was a necessary, but not sufficient, condition for reopening the strategic waterway. He stressed that the Strait’s current disruption was not the result of differences between Iran and Oman, but followed U.S.-Israeli military aggression against Iran.
“Our negotiations with Oman are focused on reaching an understanding on a route that guarantees the safe passage of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz,” Baqaei said, adding that the proposed arrangement would be temporary and established in consultation and cooperation with Oman.
According to Baqaei, the proposed corridor would connect Iran’s northern route with Oman’s southern route and operate in both directions until a permanent replacement is agreed upon for the existing Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS). He said the route must protect the interests and security considerations of both countries.
Baqaei also accused Washington of targeting Iran’s commercial shipping through attacks, sanctions and intimidation, describing such actions as "piracy.” He said the measures represented a continuation of U.S. hostility toward Iran and its efforts to impose confrontation on the region.
The Iranian FM spokesman said Tehran had accepted responsibility for managing the Strait under a June 18, 2026, ceasefire MoU and had been given 30 days to restore maritime traffic to pre-war levels. However, he said renewed U.S. attacks on Iran had violated Washington’s commitments under the arrangement.
Baqaei warned that no substantial change should be expected in the status of the Strait as long as what he called U.S. “hostilities” and military aggression against Iran continue. He added that Iran would take all necessary measures to protect its national interests.
Tehran’s position places control over the Strait within the broader framework of Iranian sovereignty and regional security. While Iran says it remains committed to ensuring safe navigation and is consulting Oman on a temporary mechanism, it maintains that the restoration of normal maritime traffic cannot be separated from the cessation of foreign military pressure and respect for its rights in the waterway.
seyed mohammad kazemi - seyed mohammad kazemi
