The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on Saturday that reopening the Strait of Hormuz is not linked to ongoing Iranian-Omani negotiations, but remains contingent upon the United States accepting the conditions set by Tehran.
اضافة اعلان
A US official reported on Friday that progress had been made in talks between Iran and the Sultanate of Oman, which could soon lead to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and restore the potential for resuming oil exports disrupted by the five-month-long war between the United States and Iran.
Iran's Tasnim News Agency quoted IRGC spokesman Hossein Mohebbi as saying: "The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is subject to specific mechanisms and conditions set by the Islamic Republic of Iran and has no connection to the ongoing negotiations between Iran and the Sultanate of Oman."
Speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, the US official stated that Washington expects an agreement soon between the two countries situated on opposite sides of the strait, allowing for the resumption of normal oil traffic.
An agreement between Iran and Oman regarding control over this strategic waterway is viewed as crucial for reaching a broader peace agreement.
A US official told Reuters on Friday that progress is being made between Iran and the Sultanate of Oman regarding the Strait of Hormuz, adding: "We expect to reach an agreement soon."
The official added that the United States will lift its blockade on Iranian ports as soon as an agreement is announced to restore unhindered commercial shipping.
"There is progress between Oman and Iran regarding the strait, and we expect an agreement soon... Once an agreement is announced to restore unhindered commercial shipping, the United States will lift the blockade on Iranian ports," the official said.
"As always, American actions will remain based on developments on the ground and tied to the extent to which Iran fulfills its commitments," the official added.
Before the United States and Israel launched the war against Iran on February 28, approximately one out of every five barrels of oil consumed globally passed through the strait.
