Iranian FM Araghchi: Iran-Oman Agreement on Strait of Hormuz Does Not Mean Reopening of the Strait

In an exclusive interview with Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said that the meeting of the Gulf littoral states in Muscat is aimed at discussing and presenting details of new maritime arrangements concerning the Strait of Hormuz.

Araghchi said Iran and Oman have reached an agreement on establishing new maritime routes in the Strait of Hormuz, and that maps and a joint statement related to the agreement have been prepared. He said the documents will be presented to the Gulf countries and subsequently submitted to the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

The Iranian foreign minister stressed that the agreement does not in any way mean that the Strait of Hormuz is being reopened. Rather, he said, it sets out the framework and routes for maritime traffic should the conditions for reopening the Strait be established.

Araghchi also said that Iran’s condition for returning maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz to normal is for the United States to return to and implement its commitments under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.

The Iranian foreign minister added that the Muscat meeting is not intended to establish a new security mechanism or discuss issues such as Yemen. However, he said dialogue among regional countries could pave the way for further consultations and cooperation among the countries of the region in the future.