Iran says deal on Strait of Hormuz is close but not enough to open waterway
CAIRO/WASHINGTON/DUBAI — Iran said on Saturday that a deal with Oman on control of the Strait of Hormuz was close but would not be enough to free up the waterway, and the United Arab Emirates said Iran had hit another ship there. Agreement between Iran and Oman over the strait, which separates the two countries, is seen as vital to a wider deal to end the war, which began with U.S. and Israeli…
Iran and Oman are reportedly nearing an agreement regarding control of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway separating the two nations. However, Iranian officials indicate that this deal alone is insufficient to fully reopen the strait. The UAE has reported that Iran has once again intercepted a vessel in the area. The significance of reaching a deal lies in its potential to alleviate tensions stemming from the ongoing conflict, which began with U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran on February 28.
This led to Iran asserting control over the vital energy export route. A U.S. official indicated earlier this week that Washington believes an agreement between Iran and Oman is imminent, paving the way for restored oil traffic. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated that while Iran and Oman are "very close" to an agreement, the reopening of the strait would hinge on additional factors, notably compensation from the U.S. for Iran's grievances.
The top national security advisor of Iran, Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr, detailed further demands including an end to U.S. threats against Iran, cessation of aggression against the nation and its allies Lebanon and Palestine.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written; read the original for the full account.
