Iran says Strait of Hormuz deal with Oman is close, but reopening depends on wider conditions
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Iran said on Saturday that it was close to an agreement with Oman on a new shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz, but said the deal alone would not be enough to reopen the strategic waterway.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said the existing shipping traffic separation scheme was no longer acceptable to Tehran. Iran and Oman are discussing a temporary route while technical and legal issues related to a permanent arrangement are resolved.
Araqchi said reopening the strait would also depend on other conditions, including compensation from the United States. Iran's Revolutionary Guards separately said the waterway would be reopened when Washington accepted Iran's conditions and stopped interfering in regional negotiations.
A US official said on Friday that Washington expected an agreement between Iran and Oman soon. The official said the United States would lift its blockade of Iranian ports once an agreement was announced to restore unrestricted commercial shipping, with US actions dependent on Iran implementing its commitments.
The developments came as the United Arab Emirates said Iran had attacked a vessel affiliated with its state oil company with a missile while it was transiting the Strait of Hormuz. No injuries were reported. Iranian authorities did not immediately comment.
The Strait carried about a fifth of global oil and gas shipments before the conflict began with US and Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28. Iranian attacks on shipping and demands for payments from oil tankers have disrupted global energy shipments and contributed to higher energy prices.
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company said on Friday that 15 of its vessels had been struck since the start of the conflict, describing the incidents as unprovoked attacks. The company said one crew member had been killed and 20 injured.
A proposed Iran-Oman arrangement could give Tehran control over ships entering the Gulf through the strait, according to Iranian and regional officials cited earlier this week. US officials have repeatedly said they would not accept Iran controlling access to the major energy trade route.
Iranian strikes on shipping have also coincided with increased attacks by Yemen-based Houthi forces on vessels around the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.