The foreign ministers of Iran and Oman on Tuesday discussed a framework agreement to establish a temporary shipping corridor through the Strait of Hormuz, as well as a joint project to clear mines from the strategic waterway, according to a joint statement.
اضافة اعلان
Muscat and Tehran are seeking to regulate transit through the Strait of Hormuz after the waterway became a major flashpoint amid the Middle East war.
According to the statement published by Oman’s Foreign Ministry, Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi and his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, discussed “a phased framework that would provide a practical and implementable basis.”
The framework includes “establishing a joint temporary shipping corridor through the Strait of Hormuz and agreeing to implement a joint project to clear mines from the strait.”
The two sides will continue technical negotiations “with the aim of reaching an agreement on a permanent shipping corridor and future arrangements for managing the strait, in addition to establishing a mechanism for information sharing, managing maritime traffic and providing relevant navigational and security services.”
The two countries also stressed the importance of holding joint discussions with the states bordering the Gulf.
Following the statement, Albusaidi expressed hope that Oman and Iran would announce the establishment of the temporary shipping corridor “soon.”
“I hope we can soon announce a temporary corridor in the Strait of Hormuz and practical arrangements to restore safe navigation,” Albusaidi said in an English-language post on X. He added that this would eventually be followed by arrangements for the future management of the strait and a permanent solution.
Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Araghchi also discussed the latest regional developments, particularly the ongoing talks between Oman and Iran on the proposed phased framework, according to Qatar’s Foreign Ministry.
The framework includes establishing a joint temporary shipping corridor through the Strait of Hormuz and implementing a joint project to clear mines from the waterway.
During a phone call, Al Thani reaffirmed Qatar’s support for all diplomatic efforts aimed at securing a solution that guarantees freedom of maritime navigation and paves the way for a comprehensive agreement leading to lasting peace in the region.
Araghchi said in a post on X that Iran’s commitment to peace and stability is matched by “steadfast diplomacy” with its neighbors. He said discussions with Pakistani and Omani officials had emphasized regional solutions.
He added that the proposed framework for establishing a new corridor, jointly clearing mines and determining the future management of the Strait of Hormuz was an example of such regional solutions.
The statement came as US President Donald Trump said on his Truth Social platform that “all mines have been removed and/or detonated from the international waters of the Strait of Hormuz,” citing the US Navy.
Trump added that Iran had been warned that any ship or boat laying new mines would be “destroyed immediately and systematically,” saying a policy of “zero tolerance” for mine-laying was fully in effect.
The war began with a major US-Israeli attack on Iran on February 28, after which Tehran quickly imposed a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz. Washington responded with a counter-blockade of Iranian ports.
In peacetime, the vital waterway carried roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas exports. Maritime traffic, however, remains largely crippled six months after the war began.
Iran and Oman have been holding talks for weeks over the future of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian officials have nevertheless stressed that the strait will not be fully reopened until the United States meets Tehran’s demands, including lifting the naval blockade, removing oil sanctions and unfreezing Iranian assets held abroad.
Source: AFP
