Message from Iran on the Strait of Hormuz: No agreement as long as threats continue

Sepahnews, the publication organ of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, claimed that the main reason for the failure to reach an agreement with Oman regarding the Strait of Hormuz is US interference and military threats.

In the report, which cited an unnamed official said to be informed about the negotiations, it was stated that the agreement would be delayed as long as the US threat of military attack against Iran continues. The official said, "As long as US interference and the threat of military attack against Iran continue, the agreement will be delayed. Iran will not make any agreement in the shadow of threats."

In the first phase of the agreement reached between Iran and the US on June 14 with Pakistan's mediation, it was envisioned that the Strait of Hormuz would be opened in exchange for the US releasing Iran's frozen assets, and that Iran would not charge fees for passage through this strategic waterway for 60 days.

However, the Tehran administration argued that Washington did not release the frozen assets following the agreement and that it determined an alternative route through Omani territorial waters for passages from the Strait of Hormuz. Iran considered these steps a violation of the agreement.

During this process, it was stated that Iran restricted passages through the Strait and struck some ships that were "attempting to pass without authorization." Despite the agreement, the tension between the two countries turned into violent clashes on July 8 and lasted for about two weeks.

Negotiations between Oman, which has a coast on the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran had resumed in order to determine safe passage routes for ships. Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmail Baghaei had announced that progress had been made in technical and political contacts.