The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei, said that talks with the Sultanate of Oman on a maritime transit route in the Strait of Hormuz are continuing, and describe the process as complex.
“Drawing up the maritime transit route plan with the Sultanate of Oman has been time-consuming due to security complexities because of the actions of the US and Israel, the number of actors involved and obstruction by disruptive elements,” Baghaei said.
“The issue is inherently complex,” he added. “The insecurity imposed on the Strait of Hormuz, the region and the world has resulted from the illegal military action by the United States and the Israeli regime.”
Baqaei said the proposed mechanism would seek to protect the interests of both Iran and Oman while maintaining commercial shipping.
“This is the first time that a mechanism is being developed to simultaneously safeguard the sovereign rights of the two littoral states and ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels,” he said.
“Despite previous US reneging on its commitments, intensive talks between Iran and Oman to finalise a joint statement and establish a secure mechanism that safeguards mutual interests are continuing in earnest,” Baghaei added.
Baghaei said the main obstacle to resolving disputes between Tehran and Washington is not a lack of mediators.
He noted that countries including Pakistan and Qatar are already “making efforts and playing a role” in Iran-US relations.
“It is also entirely natural for some European countries to express their views and indicate their readiness in bilateral contacts to offer their ‘good offices’,” he said.
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