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Baqaei: Iran, Oman agree on shipping route coordinates in Hormuz
Iran and Oman have reached an understanding on the geographical coordinates of a proposed shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said on Wednesday, adding that a joint statement outlining the main points of agreement is in the final stages of drafting.
"The geographical coordinates of the route envisaged by the two sides have been agreed upon, and provided that certain third parties do not obstruct the process, the joint statement by the two countries, including the main considerations and points of agreement, is in the final stage of review and drafting," Baqaei told reporters on Wednesday.
Responding to questions about reports in regional and Western media regarding the Iran-Oman negotiations, Baqaei said the two countries, as the littoral states of the Strait of Hormuz, have been engaged in talks over the past two months aimed at establishing a safe transit route for commercial shipping through the waterway.
He said the technical, legal, security and environmental aspects of the proposal have been examined by the relevant authorities in Iran.
Iranian officials maintain that the talks are a bilateral process between Tehran and Muscat and do not involve the United States, despite comments by some US officials suggesting Washington has a role in the developments related to the strategic waterway.
US President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent recently commented on the talks, trying to imply that Washington plays a role.
Trump said late on Tuesday that a deal with Iran could come within hours, claiming that the talks with Iran are continuing after calling off a planned “massive attack” on Iran.
Washington is having “very good discussions” with Iran that are “moving along very nicely”, the US president claimed.
The Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy transit routes, has been at the center of contention between Iran and the US ever since the latter waged a war of aggression with Israel against the Islamic Republic.
In response, Iran closed off the strait and began talks with Oman to form a joint mechanism for shipping arrangements.