The Kabul Tribune (KT) — Iran and Oman are close to an agreement on a temporary shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz, but Tehran says reopening the key waterway will depend on broader conditions, including U.S. concessions, Reuters reported.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said negotiations with
Oman were “very close” to an agreement, while Iran’s top security officials
said reopening the strait would also require an end to U.S. threats and
sanctions, the lifting of a blockade and the release of Iranian assets.
Oman described its talks with Iran on shipping arrangements
as “positive and constructive” and urged all parties to avoid actions that
could undermine the negotiations.
The United Arab Emirates said Iran had attacked a vessel
affiliated with its state oil company with a missile while it was transiting
the Strait of Hormuz. No injuries were reported. The UK Maritime Trade
Operations agency also said a vessel caught fire after being hit by an unknown
projectile, but the fire was extinguished.
The Strait of Hormuz, through which about one-fifth of the
world's oil and gas shipments passed before the conflict, has faced major
disruptions since the war began.
A U.S. official told Reuters that Washington expects a deal
that would allow commercial shipping to resume and said the United States would
lift its blockade of Iranian ports once Iran fulfills its commitments.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said reopening the strait would
depend on Washington accepting Iran’s conditions, rather than solely on the
Iran-Oman negotiations.
