Iran, Oman close to reopening Strait of Hormuz, Tehran demands US end naval blockade

Iran and Oman are close to an agreement to temporarily reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The two countries are discussing a "phased framework" to establish a temporary maritime corridor and clear sea mines in the vital waterway.
The proposal would also pave the way for negotiations on a permanent sea route and the future management of the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran has set a condition for the US, insisting that before shipping can resume, Washington must end its naval blockade against Iranian ports and ships, as well as end the war. He said that the future management of the strait and a permanent solution would be discussed later, while negotiations with regional partners would help promote peace and cooperation, stability and freedom of navigation.
Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, Kazem Gharibabadi, while explaining the details of the proposed temporary arrangement between Iran and Oman regarding the Strait of Hormuz, said that the reopening of the waterway depends on the fulfillment of Tehran's demands.
Gharibabadi said on Wednesday that the US must end its blockade to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
He described the proposed arrangement between Iran and Oman as temporary and said there would be further negotiations to establish a permanent route, expected to take 30 to 60 days.
"Before taking any steps to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the US must fully implement all the promises it has broken," Gharibabadi said, according to Iranian state media.
He also stressed that simply lifting the blockade would not be enough. Gharibabadi said, lifting the blockade alone is not the only condition in exchange for the Strait of Hormuz. Another issue is the end of the war. He added that a permanent and sustainable end to the war on all fronts, including in Lebanon, is essential. According to Gharib, a proposed arrangement between Iran and Oman could include closing the UN-sanctioned sea route to the south along the Omani coast, which Tehran opposes. However, Oman's initial statement did not mention closing any such route.
Iran closed the key waterway on February 28 after the US and Israel launched a fresh offensive against the country.
The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States agreed to reopen the strait for 60 days under a Pakistan-brokered memorandum of understanding in June, but Tehran said it had to close it again due to U.S. violations.
According to the poor population, the southern passage of the Strait of Hormuz will be closed under the proposed arrangement between Iran and Oman. Iran alleges that in violation of the memorandum of understanding, the United States will attempt to illegally divert ships from the southern passage along the Omani coast.
According to Iran-affiliated Press TV, the ships will pass through Iranian waters in both directions under the alternative arrangement.
The proposal comes after several weeks of negotiations between Tehran and Muscat. The issue of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has become a key bargaining point in the stalled US-Iran talks.
The US maintains that the Strait of Hormuz is part of international waters and has continued naval operations in the area. President Donald Trump has repeatedly said that sea mines have been removed or destroyed, while he has threatened to destroy boats trying to lay new mines. We are monitoring every inch of the strait, Trump said.
Meanwhile, Washington has increased economic pressure on Tehran. The US Treasury Department has announced new sanctions targeting various sectors including aviation, shipping, technology, gold and digital assets.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant described the strategy as an economic chokehold, saying the goal is to cut off every economic lifeline that supports Iran's government. The new sanctions have already raised concerns among some Iranians who have faced economic sanctions for years.
A citizen of Tehran said that these sanctions have been in place for 47 years and alleged that Washington is trying to create unrest in a part or the entire country through additional economic pressure. Long queues were also seen at petrol pumps in Tehran after the latest announcement of US sanctions.
Qatar has also supported efforts to reach an agreement between Iran and Oman regarding the Strait of Hormuz. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani spoke on the phone with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi on Tuesday about the proposed temporary maritime corridor.
Araqchi said the talks are evidence of Iran's commitment to peace and stability, along with ongoing diplomacy with its neighbors.
The development comes at a time when Iran is also stepping up efforts to strengthen its military capabilities following the attacks by the US and Israel.
Brigadier General Ali Reza Elhami, commander of the Iranian army, said the country had learned lessons from the conflict and was developing new systems and equipment, which would be based entirely on Iranian knowledge and expertise.