A source close to the Islamic Republic’s negotiating team has dismissed reports of direct talks between Tehran and Washington, stating that Iran is negotiating exclusively with Oman regarding future management arrangements for the Strait of Hormuz. The source added that even if an agreement is reached with Muscat, it will not be sufficient on its own to fully reopen the strait.
Fars News Agency, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), quoted the source on Tuesday, August 4, as clarifying that Tehran has engaged in no negotiations with the United States and that discussions are limited solely to Oman concerning future operational frameworks for the waterway.
The source claimed that, from the outset of the negotiations, the Islamic Republic has emphasized that the southern route of the Strait of Hormuz is illegal and unsafe, attributing its creation to a “U.S. breach of promise” and pressure on Oman. Tehran views this alternative route as an infringement on its sovereign rights and has resisted efforts by the U.S. and regional nations to make it permanent.
According to the source, the ongoing Iran-Oman talks aim to establish a “middle corridor,” a route designed to respect Iran’s sovereign rights while addressing Oman’s security considerations.
