Iran, Oman, Arab Nations to Sign Strait of Hormuz Navigation Deal
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announced that foreign ministers from several Arab nations will convene in Muscat, Oman, on Monday to sign an agreement establishing a joint navigation route between Oman and Iran in the Strait of Hormuz. The agreement will then be submitted to the International Maritime Organization. Pezeshkian made these remarks in an interview with India Today, published Saturday, where he also addressed economic pressures on Iran and the strategic waterway.
He stated that countries from which attacks on Iran have been launched by the United States will be present at the meeting. Pezeshkian asserted that Iran will not cease its efforts despite U.S. economic pressure, emphasizing that maritime routes are not critical to Iran's survival and that the U.S. will not achieve its objectives through naval blockades. He added that the Strait of Hormuz would be open if the U.S. ended its blockade and attacks.
Earlier, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Ismail Baghaei, confirmed a regional meeting of foreign ministers hosted by Oman on Monday, involving eight Gulf states. The meeting will discuss, among other regional issues, the outcomes of Iranian-Omani talks on establishing safe shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz. Baghaei stressed that Iran is working to ensure security in the strait and that ship safety cannot be guaranteed as long as the U.S. naval blockade and interventions continue.
In a related development, Iranian Parliamentarian Ebrahim Azizi stated on Saturday that Tehran will not engage in any negotiations or dialogue with the United States unless Washington accepts all of Iran's conditions. He reiterated this on social media, saying, "No negotiations. Unless the American side accepts all of Iran's conditions, meetings and negotiations will be of no benefit." Iranian officials have previously outlined conditions for resuming talks with the U.S., including lifting economic sanctions and blockades, releasing frozen Iranian assets, and halting Israeli attacks on Lebanon and Gaza.
These developments occur amidst ongoing military exchanges between the U.S. and Iran, with negotiations stalled over disputes concerning navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for energy and goods. A previous understanding reached on February 28th to end military operations and ensure commercial shipping passage through the strait, followed by negotiations for a final agreement within 60 days, reportedly faltered. Renewed confrontations in July saw the U.S. resume strikes on Iranian targets and reimpose a naval blockade on its ports.
