An informed Iranian source told the news agency of video reports that Tehran and Muscat have reached an understanding regarding arrangements and transit routes in the Strait of Hormuz, following a series of technical and diplomatic discussions between the two sides over the past weeks.
The source, who is a member of the negotiating team, stated that the understanding was reached in late August and early September, and will be announced during an upcoming meeting that includes the foreign ministers of the Gulf region countries, with the participation of the Republic of Iraq.
He added that the agreement was made directly between Iran and Oman, while the participation of other countries will be limited to being informed about the details of the understanding and the new mechanisms related to transit movement in the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the source, the two sides agreed to define new routes for ships entering and exiting the Gulf, so that the entry route is entirely within Iranian territorial waters, while part of the exit route also passes through Iranian territorial waters.
He indicated that maritime traffic through these routes will be subject to Iranian arrangements, noting that the implementation of the understanding will lead to the closure of the southern route, which the United States had been pushing to keep open.
The source confirmed that the understanding with Oman does not mean opening the Strait of Hormuz at the moment, pointing out that Tehran has informed Washington, through intermediaries, of seven conditions for opening the strait.
He added that the decision to open the strait will remain linked to the fulfillment of these conditions, explaining that the Iranian-Omani understanding defines the mechanism for transit movement in the event a decision is made to reopen it but does not, in itself, represent a decision to open the strait.
According to the source, the participation of Iraq and other Gulf countries in the upcoming meeting aims to inform them of the results of the negotiations between Tehran and Muscat, while the technical details of the understanding have been settled during bilateral meetings between the two sides.
The source concluded by saying that the future of opening the Strait of Hormuz will depend, according to the Iranian stance, on the behavior of the United States and its responsiveness to the conditions set by Tehran.