Oman, Iran discuss reopening Strait of Hormuz passage

Oman's Foreign Minister discussed with an Iranian Foreign Ministry delegation the resumption of free passage through the Strait of Hormuz, Oman's state news agency ONA reported on the 24th (local time).

According to the report, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi visited Muscat, Oman, on the same day and delivered an oral message from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to Minister Albusaidi.

ONA reported that "Minister Araghchi's message covered the ongoing dialogue between Iran and the United States mediated by Pakistan, and ways for the two countries to cooperate in resuming free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz in a safe and sustainable manner."

Following the bilateral meeting, the two sides held an expanded meeting to discuss the principles governing the freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz in accordance with international law, ONA added.

Gharibabadi wrote on his X account, "The delegations of the two countries reviewed a set of principles governing the navigation of ships through the Strait of Hormuz. These principles took into account the security and sovereignty of the coastal states of the strait and the application of international law."

The Strait of Hormuz is so narrow that it has no high seas; the northern waters belong to Iran and the southern waters to Oman's territorial sea. Before the strait was blocked by war, ship routes mainly passed through Omani territorial waters, but Iran currently designates the existing route as a 'danger zone' and restricts passage, requiring ships to use the so-called 'safe route' that passes through its own territorial waters.