August 26, 2026 | 03:50 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Iran and Oman have agreed to establish a seven-mile-wide temporary transit route through the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said on Tuesday, August 24.
However, during an interview with Iranian television, Gharibabadi emphasized that the deal does not imply the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway.
He explained that the agreed-upon route would partially pass through Iranian territorial waters when the ship entered and when it left. "The agreed-upon width of the transit route with Oman in the Strait of Hormuz is seven miles," Gharibabadi said, calling the lane a temporary arrangement, as quoted by ANTARA.
Iran and Oman will hold further negotiations for 30 to 60 days to determine a permanent route and arrangements for managing shipping through the strait.
Gharibabadi reiterated that the agreement with Oman should not be interpreted as reopening the Strait of Hormuz. "The Strait of Hormuz is closed, and we have complete control over it," he said.
He also denied claims that ships had already passed through the route. According to Gharibabadi, activating the joint route agreed with Oman would also mean closing the southern route.
The two countries agreed to start technical negotiations on alternative routes to the historical route.
Gharibabadi said Iran views the Strait of Hormuz as a national security issue and has the right to take any steps it deems necessary to protect its interests. He also said Iran doesn't trust the United States. He argued that Washington must fulfill its obligations under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) before a return to diplomacy can occur.
"Before any action to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. must fully implement all of its violated commitments. The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz will only take place in exchange for an end to the war on all fronts, the lifting of the blockade, and a resolution of Yemen's status," he said.
Gharibabadi said Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir conveyed a similar message during his recent visit to Iran.
Munir told Iranian officials that reopening the strait depended on the U.S.'s willingness to fulfill its commitments.
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