Return to normal shipping in Hormuz hinges on US commitment to Islamabad MoU: Araghchi
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Tuesday that talks between Iran and Oman on establishing a temporary transit route through the Strait of Hormuz had made significant progress, while he said a return to normal shipping depended on the United States returning to its commitments under an Islamabad memorandum.
In a phone call with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, Araghchi blamed the current regional tensions on the US failure to honor its commitments under the memorandum.
“The solution is simple. The return and adherence of the US side to its commitments and its signature in the Islamabad memorandum will pave the way for a return to normal conditions,” Araghchi said.
Araghchi also outlined the latest state of Iran-Oman discussions on the strategic waterway, saying the two countries had made significant headway in talks aimed at establishing a temporary route for maritime traffic.
He stressed that consultations between Tehran and Muscat would continue to reach agreement on mechanisms for the future management of the Strait of Hormuz.
Motegi, meanwhile, voiced concern over the escalation of tensions in the region and stressed the need for continued consultations and diplomatic coordination among regional states and other countries with an interest in the area.
The Japanese foreign minister said such efforts should aim to restore security in the region and ensure free and safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's key maritime routes for energy and trade.
Iran and Oman, both coastal states on the strait, have for weeks been discussing the future of navigation through the waterway, with Tehran saying progress had been made to agree a temporary shipping route.
Iranian forces have restricted traffic through Hormuz, a vital energy conduit, since the war with the United States broke out on February 28.
The US has imposed a counter naval blockade on Iranian ports.
Mediation efforts by regional countries are also underway to resolve tensions between Tehran and Washington.
On Sunday, a Qatari delegation held a meeting in Tehran with Iranian foreign minister as part of ongoing regional efforts aimed at reducing tensions.
The Sunday visit followed a trip by Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who travelled to Tehran on August 27.