Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has stated that the meeting scheduled for Monday in Oman will focus on creating a new sea route through the Strait of Hormuz, in an effort to guarantee the movement of ships in this strategic corridor.
In an interview with Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, Araghchi said that Iran will present to the participating countries the details of the agreement reached with Oman, as well as maps related to the new maritime route. According to him, the agreement between Tehran and Muscat "in no way" implies the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran and Oman have been discussing a temporary shipping corridor for weeks, while a joint statement by the two countries envisages the creation of a temporary maritime corridor and, further, negotiations on a permanent route and its administration.
Araghchi has linked the full reopening of the strait to the fulfillment of Tehran's conditions by the United States. According to him, Iran demands that Washington return to the commitments set out in the Islamabad memorandum of understanding.
The Iranian top diplomat also stressed that Tehran considers security and stability in the region to be the responsibility of the countries of the region themselves, without interference from external actors.
Monday's meeting in Oman is expected to bring together representatives from Iran, Iraq and Gulf Arab states to discuss the future of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Reuters reports that the meeting is not expected to immediately produce a signed agreement, as the parties continue negotiations on how to manage maritime traffic.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most strategic shipping lanes in the world, as a significant portion of global oil supplies pass through it.
For this reason, any agreement that guarantees a safe shipping corridor could have a direct impact on energy markets and regional security.
