Iran and Oman are close to an agreement on a new shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz. However, Tehran warns that this agreement alone is not enough to open the waterway. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Reuters.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said negotiations with Oman are "very close" to an agreement. The sides are discussing a temporary route through the strait while technical and legal issues are resolved.
A representative of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Hossein Mohebbi, said that the opening of the strait directly depends on Washington's consent to Tehran's conditions and is not related only to Iran-Oman negotiations.
The Strait of Hormuz is of strategic importance for the global energy market. Before the conflict began, about a fifth of world oil and gas supplies passed through it. Restrictions on shipping have already led to supply disruptions and higher energy prices.
Amid the talks, tensions in the strait remain. The UAE reported that Iranian forces attacked a vessel linked to the country's state oil company with a missile. There were no casualties.
The British maritime trade monitoring service also reported a ship that caught fire after being hit by an unknown projectile. The fire was extinguished.
Washington earlier said it expects a quick agreement that would restore normal movement of oil tankers.
The US demands that Iran ensure free and unimpeded movement of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. Washington also opposes giving Tehran control over the passage of ships. If the agreements are fulfilled, the US is ready to lift the blockade of Iranian ports.
The day before, Iran demanded that the Gulf states persuade US President Donald Trump to refrain from new strikes on the Islamic Republic. Otherwise, Tehran threatened attacks on the oil, energy, and transport infrastructure of Washington's closest allies in the region.