FM discusses restoring Hormuz shipping with Iranian counterpart

MUSCAT: Oman’s Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad al Busaidy and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi discussed efforts to restore unhindered shipping through the Strait of Hormuz during a telephone call.

The ministers reviewed progress in talks aimed at reaching political, technical and practical understandings that would allow vessels to transit the strait without obstruction.

They stressed the need to build on efforts to ease tensions by reaching lasting arrangements to protect maritime routes and establishing joint technical mechanisms to keep international trade and energy supplies moving. The ministers said these efforts should help bring the war to an end and prevent renewed hostilities in the region.

Both ministers said any understandings should respect the sovereignty of states and take into account the legitimate interests of all parties. They also called for creating conditions for dialogue and negotiations to resume so that unresolved issues driving the escalation can be addressed.

The two sides agreed to continue consultations and coordination and to support diplomatic efforts to strengthen regional security and stability.