Iran has indicated progress in discussions with Oman over establishing a temporary safe shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz, while maintaining that the reopening of the strategic waterway depends on broader regional security conditions. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said Tehran and Muscat have held talks over the past week to improve maritime safety in the strait, but stressed that maritime arrangements alone would not be enough to restore full operations.

Addressing reporters in Tehran, Baghaei said some progress had been made in negotiations with Oman and that Iran was also in contact with other countries in the region and beyond. He described an agreement on a safe navigation route as an important step towards restoring shipping movement through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy transit routes. However, he clarified that such an arrangement would only address part of the issue.

Baghaei rejected suggestions that the disruption in the Strait of Hormuz was linked to disagreements between Iran and Oman. He stated that the waterway’s difficulties were due to what Tehran described as military actions by the United States and Israel. Iran has maintained that the situation will not be fully resolved unless those actions come to an end.

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The Iranian spokesperson also denied reports of renewed diplomatic talks with Washington, stating that there are currently no negotiations between Iran and the United States and that no new mediator has entered the process. He added that China and several other countries were working to prevent further escalation of tensions in the region by using diplomatic channels.

Baghaei further ruled out any immediate diplomatic visits involving Iran, stating that Tehran was not planning to host foreign delegations or send representatives abroad in the current period. He described the ongoing tensions involving Iran, the US and Israel as a wider regional security issue, arguing that foreign military presence and the use of facilities in Gulf countries have contributed to instability.

The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, is a crucial passage for global energy shipments, with a significant portion of the world’s oil and gas supplies passing through the route. Any disruption in the waterway has the potential to affect international energy markets and regional trade, making ongoing diplomatic efforts focused on maritime security closely watched by governments worldwide.

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