Iran has rejected any proposal to establish a new passage or alternative route through the Strait of Hormuz. Reaffirming its control over the strategic waterway, Iranian officials stated that Tehran will not accept any changes to the existing transit route. Furthermore, Tehran has set three conditions for any future negotiations.

Tehran Outlines Three Conditions

According to an Al Arabiya report, Tehran has stated that discussions will begin only after the status of the Strait of Hormuz is addressed first to affirm that it remains under its full control. Tehran has stated that the release of frozen Iranian assets must be tackled next, while negotiations on the nuclear issue should be taken up only afterwards.

ALSO READ: US-Iran Airstrikes Pause, Talks Resume: Can Diplomacy Prevent Another War?

Additionally, Iran has informed Pakistan that it is ready to continue negotiations, proposing Geneva, Doha, or Islamabad as potential venues for the talks.

Oman-Iran Talk On Strait Of Hormuz Progress As US Strikes Pause

Two-day talks between Oman and Iran on reopening the waterways around the Strait of Hormuz are making progress, according to the report. An Iranian official confirmed that Omani delegates left Tehran around noon local time on Saturday following the discussions. While discussions between Muscat and Tehran appear to be moving in a positive direction, regional officials cautioned that further negotiations will still be required before a final agreement is reached.

This comes as the United States paused military strikes on Iran over the weekend.

Iran Reasserts Control Over Waterway

An oil tanker exploded after colliding with a naval mine when it moved away from Iran's designated shipping route in the Strait of Hormuz. The deputy speaker of the Iranian Parliament asserted that conditions in the Strait of Hormuz would "never" return to their pre-war state.

ALSO READ: No US Strikes On Iran For First Time In 13 Days, But Trump’s Latest Warning Keeps Escalation Fears Alive

Emphasising Iran's full control over the strategic passage, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) posted on X: "Day 149 of the war. Iran continues to hold full control over the Strait of Hormuz – without Iran’s permission, not even a bird can cross. Today, one ship tried to pass through an alternate route. It got hit."

The IRGC further stated that it had stopped six vessels in the Strait of Hormuz after issuing warnings, maintaining that this confirms Iran's full control over navigation in the area.

You May Also Like To Watch