Talks with Oman on Strait of Hormuz are positive: Iran
Tehran, Aug 4
Esmaeil Baqaei, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran, on Tuesday said that the talks with Oman regarding safe routes in the Strait of Hormuz are positive, local media reported.
"These negotiations are being pursued as a dialogue between the two coastal countries of the Strait of Hormuz, focusing on determining safe return routes for ships; a route that, while ensuring sovereign rights, also takes into account national security considerations of Iran and Oman," the spokesperson stated, Iran's Tasnim News Agency reported.
"The talks so far are assessed as positive at both the technical and political levels, and Iran is trying, in cooperation with Oman, to develop the necessary mechanisms for future arrangements for managing shipping traffic in this strategic passage," he added
The Foreign Ministry spokesman also noted that the final results of these talks will be announced after they are concluded.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Tuesday that a deal with Iran could be reached on Tuesday or Wednesday to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
"We are in talks with the Iranians, and I think there is a chance we may have a deal today or tomorrow to open the strait and move towards a more normalised position in this conflict," Bessent said in an interview with CNBC, Xinhua News Agency reported.
When asked whether Iran would be allowed to charge a toll on ships that pass through the Strait of Hormuz, the US Treasury Secretary said, "It would be freedom of movement."
He added that prices should fall further when hundreds of ships stuck in the Gulf can exit, noting that the impact extends beyond energy to include fertilisers, refined petroleum products, and industrial gases.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday that while the United States sees the denuclearisation of Iran as its "ultimate deal," reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is the "immediate" one.
"So the denuclearisation of Iran is the ultimate deal. I think the immediate deal, the one that you see a lot of focus on, is the Strait," Rubio told reporters.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Good to see diplomacy working. But I'm curious - why is the US Treasury Secretary making statements about a deal that should be between Iran and Oman? America needs to stop interfering in regional matters. Just saying.
As an Indian, I watch this closely. The Strait of Hormuz is like our shipping lifeline - over 80% of our crude comes through here. Good riddance to those who created this mess in the first place. Peace in the region means stable prices for our people. 🙏
Wait - so now the US is talking about "freedom of movement" but what about their sanctions that caused all this uncertainty? Double standards everywhere. India needs to strengthen its own strategic reserves and diversify imports rather than relying on volatile regions.
I just hope this doesn't become another situation where Iran and the US make a deal that ignores smaller countries' concerns. Oman seems sensible though - good on them for mediating. India should also play a role in these talks given our stakes in the Gulf.
Honestly, who trusts US officials anymore? One moment they're threatening Iran, next moment they want a deal "today or tomorrow." For India's sake, I hope this works out - our diesel prices are already through the roof. But let's not get too excited until something is officially signed.
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