Iran is in discussions with Oman to establish a new temporary route through the Strait of Hormuz for commercial shipping, according to Esmail Baghaei, Tehran’s foreign ministry spokesperson. Mr Baghaei confirmed on Monday that these bilateral negotiations with Oman have been ongoing for seven to eight days.
Mr Baghaei stated that Iran is not currently reviving talks with the United States. His comments were in response to claims by Donald Trump that discussions between the two nations could restart as early as Monday. Mr Trump had previously claimed to have cancelled a strike on a country over the weekend after Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, urged diplomacy.
The proposed temporary route is described as a single round trip corridor, intended for use until a permanent route is determined. This initiative follows disagreements over obligations outlined in a ceasefire document signed on 18 June, which led to a resumption of conflict.
Iran's deputy foreign minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, previously stated that Iran demanded ships entering the strait use a northern route close to Iran, rejecting an even division of traffic or de-mining by a third country. Mr Baghaei indicated that discussions with Oman could also extend to the future management of the strait.