Iran and Oman agree on navigation map for Strait of Hormuz

Iran has announced that it has reached an agreement with Oman on a navigation map to regulate maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. The move follows negotiations aimed at establishing a safe route for ships, while several provisions are still under discussion before the final agreement is officially announced.

Ismail Baghaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that talks between the two countries over the past three weeks have been "positive and advanced," progressing smoothly after significant steps were made toward a mutual understanding on navigation.

Baghaei explained that communications between Tehran and Muscat began about two or three months ago, around the same time as the signing of a memorandum of understanding to end the war. He noted that negotiations were affected at times by "obstacles imposed by the United States and some other parties."

He added that the agreement on the navigation map was achieved through "institutional cooperation among various state bodies, led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with active participation from the defense, security, and environmental sectors" in Iran.

According to the Iranian spokesperson, the understanding aims to ensure the safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, while maintaining the sovereignty and sovereign rights of both Iran and Oman. He emphasized that the agreement is "independent between two coastal states."

At the same time, negotiations have not been fully concluded. Baghaei clarified that some provisions remain under discussion, including a joint statement expected to be issued by Iran and Oman, and that communications and reciprocal visits between the two countries are ongoing.

He confirmed that the agreement will be officially announced once its final version is completed, describing the establishment of a safe navigation route as a step that "had to be accomplished in any case," given Iran's status as a "coastal state."

Regarding security in the Strait of Hormuz, Baghaei said it "depends on other factors and considerations," attributing the roots of insecurity in the strait, in his view, to "illegal actions and American interventions."