Iran-Oman Maritime Talks Separate From Strait Reopening, US Must Meet Conditions: Tehran

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran's ongoing negotiations with Oman on maritime routes are a separate technical matter from the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. He stated that new navigation lanes need to be designated because previous routes are no longer operational.

Araghchi said Iran and Oman are designing a temporary shipping route that could eventually become permanent. While an agreement may come soon, he stressed that finalising the maritime route would not automatically lead to the Strait's reopening. He added that resumption of shipping through the strategic waterway would depend on the US meeting certain conditions.

The remarks come after US President Donald Trump said he would declare the Strait of Hormuz "a territory of the United States" after defeating Iran. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi rejected this, saying the waterway "cannot be seized by tweet" or military force.