Iran-Oman Deal Won't Open Strait of Hormuz, Source Claims

A source close to the Iranian negotiation team told Iran's Tasnim News Agency on Saturday that the Strait of Hormuz will not be opened through an agreement between Iran and Oman. The source stated that understandings between Tehran and Muscat will be announced soon in the presence of regional foreign ministers from Persian Gulf countries, who will be present only to be updated on transit route details and arrangements, implicitly demonstrating to the international community their lack of objection.

According to the source, this understanding finalizes details for new entry and exit routes from the strait. The entry route into the Persian Gulf will be entirely within Iran's territorial waters, and part of the exit route will also be within Iranian waters. Traffic on this route will be managed under Iranian arrangements. The southern route, which the US insisted on opening and was a primary cause of recent tensions, will be closed.

The source added that Iran presented seven conditions to the US via intermediaries for opening the Strait of Hormuz, and the strait will remain blocked until these conditions, approved by Iran's high authorities, are met. Therefore, the Iran-Oman understanding implies that if the strait opens, it will be based on this agreement, seen as a step toward realizing Iran's sovereignty over it. "The opening of the strait is entirely dependent on the American side's behavior in implementing Iran's conditions," the source said.

Separately, the Wall Street Journal reported Saturday that China provided Iran with high-quality satellite imagery of the US "Muwaffaq Salti" air base in Jordan, which aided in an attack on the base in July that killed three American soldiers. US officials told the newspaper that Tehran acquired the photos before and after the attack, but did not claim direct Chinese involvement. China has denied the allegations, demanding proof from the US, with its Washington embassy stating that "cooperation between China and Iran complies with international law." US officials claim they linked the imagery to the attack, viewing it as clear evidence that Chinese support for Iran during the war had lethal consequences directly impacting US military forces, though they did not specify who provided the photos. The Trump administration is also investigating the possibility that China is assisting Iran in tracking US Navy warships.