Axios: Possible Iranian-Omani Statement to Open the Middle Corridor in Hormuz to Ships

SadaNews - On Saturday, the American news website "Axios" revealed discussions between Iran and Oman to announce a guarantee of full and free navigation in the middle corridor of Hormuz.

Axios stated that Iran and Oman are discussing a possible statement to open the middle corridor in the Strait of Hormuz to ships, noting the participation of Qatari negotiators in the talks in Muscat.

On Saturday, the Iranian news agency "Tasnim" reported that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Oman, which is playing a mediating role to end the war that has increased instability in the Gulf region and raised global prices since the United States and Israel carried out airstrikes on Iran on February 28.

Araghchi met with Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi to discuss developments related to the Strait of Hormuz, which represents one of the main points of contention between Tehran and Washington.

Iranian state media reported that Araghchi will discuss "arrangements related to ensuring the safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz" at a time when Washington is seeking a public commitment to maritime navigation and securing transit through the vital waterway.

CBS News and its partner, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), reported that U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Special Envoy Steve Whitekof, and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, are expected to lead talks with Araghchi today.

Reuters could not independently verify the details of these reports, which did not clarify whether the talks would take place in Oman or be conducted via online remote communication.

Later on Saturday, the Iranian news agency "Fars" quoted an Iranian source saying there would be no negotiations unless the United States retracts its positions.

Iran continues to impose restrictions on navigation in the strait, allowing ships to pass through only one shipping lane along its shores, having previously closed it during the war.

During the war, Iran kept the strait effectively closed, leading to heightened clashes with the world’s strongest military power.

U.S. officials stated on Friday that the United States demands Iran to publicly announce that it will cease attacking ships in the strait and to guarantee that all shipping lanes remain open without imposing any transit fees in this waterway, which accounted for about 20 percent of global oil supplies before the outbreak of the war.

Although the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea guarantees the right of "innocent passage" in international straits, including the Strait of Hormuz, Tehran refuses to return to the navigation system that existed before the war broke out.