Iran, Oman agree on details of Hormuz Strait's new entry, exit routes

Iran and Oman have agreed on the details of new entry and exit routes for the Strait of Hormuz and will brief Gulf countries on the outcome of their consultations at a regional meeting in Muscat on Monday Iranian officials saidCiting a source close to Irans negotiating team the semiofficial Tasnim news agency said that the understanding was reached after intensive technical and diplomatic talks between Iran and Oman which culminated in a final agreement in late AugustUnder the understanding the Gulfs entry route lies entirely within Irans territorial waters and a portion of the exit route also falls within Iranian territorial waters the source saidThe source stressed that the route would operate under Iranian arrangements and the waterways southern route will be closed once the new system becomes operational noting that the United States had insisted that the southern route must be openedThe understanding in no way means that the Strait of Hormuz will be opened the source said adding that Iran has seven conditions for reopening the waterway and has conveyed them to the United StatesThe source underlined that the waterway will remain closed unless those conditions are implemented with reopening depending entirely on the US behavior Xinhua news agency reportedIrans Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei announced on Friday that Gulf littoral states foreign ministers are scheduled to meet in Oman on Monday to exchange views on regional issues including the IranOman talks on designating safe routes in the Strait of HormuzSpeaking to media on Saturday Baghaei said the gathering would hopefully be attended by foreign ministers from Gulf states as well as Iran and IraqAs part of the agenda we are going to brief the delegations about the results of the Iran and Oman consultations regarding the safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz he said adding that the two countries had conducted the consultations as the two coastal states of the Strait of HormuzLate last month Iran and Oman said in a joint statement that they had exchanged views on a proposed phased framework that includes establishing a temporary joint shipping corridor in the straitFollowing USIsraeli strikes on Iran on Feb 28 Tehran restricted passage through the strategic waterway while US forces imposed a naval blockade targeting vessels traveling to or from Iranian portsThe Strait of Hormuz linking the Gulf with the Arabian Sea is one of the worlds most important routes for oil and gas shipments Oman and Iran sit on opposite sides of the strait and have maintained consultations over maritime security and navigation in the strategic waterwayThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever