Iran-Oman Understanding Allows Commercial Ships Through Hormuz, Bars Military Vessels

TEHRAN, Aug 25: Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Tuesday that a new understanding with Oman would allow only commercial vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz, with military vessels barred from using the designated route.

Speaking to Iranian state television, Gharibabadi said the temporary arrangement would involve ships using Iranian and Omani territorial waters on inbound and outbound routes. He said Iran and Oman would negotiate a permanent maritime route within 30 to 60 days to replace the previous traffic arrangement.

Gharibabadi stressed that the understanding did not mean the Strait of Hormuz would automatically reopen from Wednesday. He said the United States would first have to fulfill commitments that Iran believes it had previously failed to honor before any decision to reopen the strategic waterway.

He also said Iran had initially expected to close the southern route of the Strait of Hormuz with Omani cooperation, but claimed US pressure prevented this and led to a military confrontation.

Earlier Tuesday, Iran and Oman issued a joint statement saying they had discussed a phased framework that includes establishing a temporary joint shipping corridor through the strait and carrying out a joint project to clear mines from the waterway.