Iran and Oman have reportedly settled the geographical coordinates for shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, giving Tehran supervision over vessels approaching the Persian Gulf. The draft deal, seen by Reuters, has been described by regional sources as one of the largest concessions made to Iran so far.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei confirmed on Wednesday that the two countries reached agreement on the route’s coordinates and that a joint statement is being finalized, provided third parties do not interfere. He cautioned that the bilateral arrangement alone will not make the strategic waterway safe.
– Iran and Oman reached an agreement on the geographical coordinates of the shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz, and a joint statement is being finalized, provided that certain third parties do not interfere – said Baghaei.
– Any agreement between Iran and Oman will not in itself guarantee security on the strategic waterway – added the spokesman.
According to the text obtained by Reuters, the terms give Iran control over ships sailing into the Persian Gulf through the strait. A senior Iranian source said the main point of contention was Tehran’s role in checking vessels moving in the opposite direction.
Concession already made
Washington has consistently said it would never accept an agreement giving Iran control over access to the world’s most important energy supply route. Reuters sources dismissed assurances by President Donald Trump that an agreement opening the strait is close. Yet a regional source told Reuters that the concession on some form of authority over Hormuz has already happened.
– A concession on some form of control over Hormuz has already been made – one regional source told Reuters.
Another source noted that the precise meaning of control is still undefined. Gulf negotiators want regional states to supervise inspections, and any fees should be voluntary.
Tehran says new route crosses its waters
Iran later reported significant progress in the transit talks, saying both inbound and outbound traffic connected to Oman will pass through Iranian territorial waters. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi told IRNA that a large segment of the new route lies in Iran’s waters and part lies in Omani waters.
– A significant part of this new route runs through Iran’s territorial waters, and part through Oman’s territorial waters – Gharibabadi told IRNA.
– It was designed so that commercial ships can pass through Iranian territorial waters, both in traffic towards the Persian Gulf and in return traffic – added the deputy minister.
Gharibabadi said the talks with Oman achieved a fundamental agreement on entry and exit route maps, and the advances are close to being finalized.
Months of American military pressure, including a two-week strike campaign in July, have not broken Iran’s grip on the strait. US commanders reported to Donald Trump in July that ammunition was running short, and Reuters wrote on Tuesday that the US military has used nearly all its long-range precision weapons.
Źródło: WNP.PL, Fot. EPA/ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH / PAP
