Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday that talks between Tehran and Muscat on the Strait of Hormuz are approaching the final stage.
Speaking at an Iranian Cabinet meeting, Araghchi noted the positive progress in the talks and said, 'The negotiations between Tehran and Muscat over the Strait of Hormuz are about to be concluded.'
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Bagheri stated that, under Article 5 of the memorandum of understanding that ended the conflict, the future governance of the Strait of Hormuz must remain under Iran's responsibility, to be carried out in consultation with Oman and through dialogue with regional countries.
Bagheri noted that during the first 22 to 23 days of the agreement's implementation, the northern navigation lane of the strait was completely calm and ships passed without incident. However, he said that before the previously set 30-day period for maritime traffic to return to pre-war conditions had expired, one side launched an "attack against Iran" and disrupted the situation.
The ministry spokesman stressed that the new navigation route agreed upon between Iran and Oman has nothing to do with whether the Strait of Hormuz is open or closed. According to Bagheri, the agreed route will be neither the previous northern corridor nor the current southern passage; it will be an entirely new lane determined by mutual consent between the two countries.
Criticizing the continued use of the current southern route, Bagheri said, 'This situation has contributed to instability in the region and harmed Iran's national interests. Tehran will not accept this arrangement.' He also reiterated that the future governance of the Strait of Hormuz will be carried out by Iran in consultation with Oman.
Warning the US as well, Bagheri stated, 'If the Americans seek further escalation, they will undoubtedly receive an appropriate and strong response from us.'
Iranian MP signals revived diplomatic efforts
Meanwhile, Iranian parliament's National Security Committee spokesman Hasan Kashkavi said that mediators have intensified their efforts to revive the Islamabad memorandum of understanding, which temporarily halted the clashes between Iran and the US in June.
Speaking on Sunday, Kashkavi noted that work by mediators, particularly those from Qatar and Pakistan, has accelerated to revive the 14-article agreement. 'Everyone knows that the main issue now is the Strait of Hormuz, and discussions on this matter are ongoing,' he said.
According to Kashkavi, the agreement contained a series of provisions regarding the Strait of Hormuz and the resumption of diplomatic efforts aimed at reaching a broader agreement between Tehran and Washington. It also included a clause aimed at ending the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. However, Kashkavi noted that the agreement collapsed after the US and Iran accused each other of violating its terms.
Trump: Attack postponed pending quick deal
The latest developments came after US President Donald Trump's announcement on Saturday. Trump announced that at the request of Tehran and some regional countries, he had postponed the planned attacks on Iran on the condition that a swift deal is reached.
In a post on the Truth Social platform, Trump stated, 'For the future interests of the world and for Iran to remain a successful country, I have agreed to cancel the attack on the condition that a swift deal is reached. Israel is also committed to this.'
