WANA (Aug 26) – Kazem Gharibabadi, Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, outlined the latest details of the understanding reached between Iran and Oman regarding the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that the agreement does not mean the strait will be reopened immediately or as of tomorrow. He said the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed if Iran’s requirements are not met.

 

Gharibabadi noted that the Strait of Hormuz has only two coastal states: the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Sultanate of Oman. He said there had been no particular problems in the strait before the recent wars, and Iran had not previously placed special emphasis on issues related to the waterway. However, following the 40-day war, the Strait of Hormuz became a strategic priority for Iran, which, he said, remains in a state of war.

 

Addressing recent developments, Gharibabadi said the establishment of a southern route by the United States constituted, from Iran’s perspective, a violation of the commitments outlined in the understanding. According to him, the text of the agreement stipulated that the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened under Iran’s management during the first 30 days.

 

Iran subsequently sought, through negotiations with Oman, to have the newly established southern route closed. However, Gharibabadi said, intense U.S. pressure prevented this from happening, eventually leading to a military confrontation.

 

The Iranian deputy foreign minister said the closure of the Strait of Hormuz had put significant pressure on the other side. He added that what is happening now is largely in line with the demands Iran had put forward before the negotiations, describing the developments as a “retreat from the U.S. position.”

 

Gharibabadi also explained the new arrangements for maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, saying the southern route would be closed and that Oman had agreed to the measure. The decision will also be formally communicated to the International Maritime Organization.

 

Under the new temporary arrangements, the route for vessels entering the Persian Gulf will pass through Iranian waters, while the exit route will run through Omani territorial waters. However, vessels will pass through Iranian waters on both routes. Gharibabadi said the temporary corridor would be approximately seven nautical miles wide and would function like a “two-way highway.”

 

Gharibabadi added that Iran and Oman would begin negotiations on a permanent mechanism for managing the Strait of Hormuz, with the talks potentially lasting up to 60 days. During this period, the two countries will negotiate a new permanent route to replace the previous maritime traffic separation scheme.

 

The deputy foreign minister stressed that the understanding reached with Oman does not amount to the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing that the two issues are separate. Therefore, he said, the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until Iran’s requirements are met.