Accra: Iran announced on Monday that it is not engaged in any negotiations with the United States and is instead focusing on working with Oman to set up "a temporary route" through the Strait of Hormuz. This initiative aims to ensure safe navigation through this crucial maritime passage.
According to Anadolu Agency, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei stated at a press briefing that Tehran's discussions with Muscat are directed towards creating a temporary shipping route in the strategic waterway. Baqaei emphasized that the primary goal of these discussions is to guarantee the safe passage of ships in the Strait of Hormuz. He highlighted the collaborative efforts with Oman to establish this temporary route as swiftly as possible to enhance the safety of shipping operations in the area.
Baqaei elaborated on the discussions, noting that they are concentrated on forming an interim navigation corridor that merges the southern route through Omani waters with the northern route through Iranian waters, creating a unified two-way transit corridor. He clarified that the current discussions are about a singular two-way corridor rather than multiple separate routes and mentioned that this temporary route would remain in place until a permanent solution is found.
In response to reports about negotiations between Tehran and Washington, Baqaei firmly denied any such developments, stating, "We are not having negotiations with the United States." This statement came in contrast to US President Donald Trump's remarks on Sunday, where he mentioned the commencement of talks with Iran, expressing optimism for an agreement concerning the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's denuclearization.
Baqaei also commented on the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, asserting that it would remain unchanged as long as the United States persists in its aggressive actions and blockade. The tensions between the US and Iran have intensified, with exchanges of military strikes from July 8 to July 24. This escalation was a result of a memorandum of understanding signed in June, leading to stalled negotiations over security guarantees and navigation freedom in the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz.