IRANIAN Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday that talks with Oman on designating a new navigation route in the Strait of Hormuz are progressing smoothly, while accusing the United States and Israel of fueling instability across the Middle East.
Speaking at a press briefing, Baghaei noted that the newly signed trilateral defense deal between Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan indicates a shift in regional security perceptions.
He added that Iran's longstanding principle is to encourage nations in the region to foster cooperation, build mutual trust, and secure their own borders without relying on external forces.
Baghaei then pointed out that regional states increasingly view Israel as the biggest threat to stability, security and cooperation in the Middle East, and said the United States is also a source of insecurity in the region.
"We believe that the security across the region is inextricably linked. Any agreement that is grounded in the region's historical and geopolitical realities and could accurately identify the enemy could help strengthen security and prevent instability, and guard against harm inflicted in the region by Israel and its allies," said Baghaei.
Baghaei then said the negotiations between Iran and Oman on the designation of a new route in the Strait of Hormuz "are being held smoothly and constructively", noting that mechanisms would be established to ensure safe shipping, address environmental issues, provide maritime services and combat crimes in the strait.
At this stage, Iran and Oman have not yet discussed some details, added the spokesman.
Under a potential agreement to be reached between the two sides, the existing northern and southern routes in the strait would be replaced by an intermediate one, he said, adding that the new route would be used temporarily until Iran and Oman agree on a new traffic separation scheme.
Baghaei attributed the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to U.S. and Israeli "military aggression" against Iran. As long as the United States persists with disruptive behaviors, such as attempting to enforce maritime blockades against Iran, the Strait of Hormuz will not be able to serve as a secure shipping channel.
Iran tightened its grip on the Strait of Hormuz on February 28 following U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iranian territory.
On June 18, Iran and the United States signed a memorandum of understanding on ending the war. Under the deal, the two countries were scheduled to hold negotiations within 60 days to reach a final agreement, but the future of the talks has become uncertain following an escalation between the two sides last month.
In July, the U.S. military launched multiple waves of strikes on Iranian targets, saying they were in response to Iranian attacks on vessels in the strait and aimed at "degrading Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping." Iran responded with missile and drone strikes on U.S. military bases and facilities in the region.
Iran and Oman have been negotiating since a few weeks ago to reach an agreement on the designation of a new route in the strait for safe maritime traffic.
