Iran and Oman have reached an understanding laying the groundwork for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. However, despite the understanding, the strategic waterway will not be opened just yet.
Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported the development, citing a source close to Iran’s negotiating team.
The source said the understanding paves the way for establishing Iranian sovereign control over the Strait of Hormuz. However, whether the strait actually reopens depends entirely on whether the United States accepts Tehran’s terms.
If the understanding takes effect, shipping through the Strait of Hormuz would proceed according to rules set by Iran. The southern route that the United States had insisted on keeping open would remain closed — the opening of that route had been the major point of disagreement between the two sides.
Iran’s foreign ministry had earlier said it would hold talks on Monday in Oman with Iraq and Gulf coastal states. However, the source said the Iran-Oman understanding itself is bilateral, and other countries would mainly be briefed on shipping rules and the details of the agreement.