Iranian official says Tehran still seeking agreement that will let it charge ships a toll, which Muscat rejects; Bahrain rules out attending Monday meeting between Gulf states and Iran
An understanding nearing finalization between Iran and Oman does not provide for the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz but establishes the basis on which it could reopen, an Iranian source told the semi-official Tasnim news agency on Saturday.
The source said the arrangement would be a step toward Iran exercising sovereignty over the strait and that its reopening depended entirely on the United States meeting Tehran’s conditions.
The comments came ahead of a meeting between Iran and Gulf states planned for Monday, which a senior Iranian official said would be a chance to discuss issues including the Strait of Hormuz, but is not expected to yield a signed agreement over the blockaded waterway.
The Iranian official, who discussed the plans on condition of anonymity, said Monday’s meeting was called at Oman’s initiative, and would provide a forum to discuss other regional issues as well as Hormuz.
