Iran Denies US Talks, Says Working With Oman on Temporary Hormuz Shipping Route

TEHRAN, Aug 3: Iran said Monday it is not holding negotiations with the United States but is working with Oman to establish a temporary shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz to ensure the safe passage of vessels.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said discussions with Muscat are focused on securing maritime navigation through the strategic waterway, according to the semi-official Fars news agency.

“Our current discussions with Oman are focused on ensuring the safe passage of ships in the Strait of Hormuz,” Baqaei said, adding that Tehran and Muscat are working to establish “a temporary route” as soon as possible.

Baqaei rejected reports of direct talks between Tehran and Washington, stating: “We are not having negotiations with the United States.”

His remarks came after US President Donald Trump said Sunday that talks with Iran would begin Monday afternoon and expressed optimism that an agreement on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear program could be reached.

The Iranian official also warned that the situation in the Strait of Hormuz would not change as long as the United States continued what he described as “acts of aggression and its blockade.”

The Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy route through which a significant share of the world’s oil shipments pass, has remained at the center of tensions between Iran and the United States amid escalating regional security concerns.