TEHRAN: Iran said on Monday it had held its first formal discussions with Oman on the future management of the Strait of Hormuz after reaching a preliminary agreement with the United States aimed at ending weeks of conflict in the Middle East.
The announcement came as a US official confirmed that Washington and Tehran had agreed to suspend further military attacks for now, while technical negotiations under their memorandum of understanding are expected to continue in Qatar.
The recent exchange of military strikes highlighted the fragile nature of the Pakistan-brokered ceasefire, which followed a conflict that disrupted regional stability and affected global energy supplies by slowing oil and gas shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
The strategic waterway, bordered by Iran and Oman, carries around one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas exports. Iran had previously restricted access through the strait as part of its pressure campaign, making the issue a central point in ongoing negotiations with the United States.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said the inaugural meeting of the Joint Hormuz Committee was held in Muscat, where both sides reviewed current issues and exchanged views on future arrangements for managing the vital shipping route.
A US official later said both countries had agreed to pause military action, allowing commercial vessels to move freely through and around the strait. However, Tehran has not officially confirmed the US statement or reports that negotiations will resume in Qatar on Tuesday.
On Sunday, Iran warned that attempts by vessels to bypass its designated shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz could escalate tensions in the region.
Although the strait lies within the territorial waters of both Iran and Oman, international maritime law generally guarantees the right of transit passage and does not allow either country to block navigation or impose transit fees.
Tensions remain high after the US military said it carried out strikes on 10 Iranian military sites in response to what it described as continued threats to commercial shipping. Iran responded by launching attacks on US military facilities in Kuwait and Bahrain, prompting strong condemnation from both Gulf states.
