The ongoing discussions aim to protect maritime traffic as regional tensions push oil prices higher

By Sadiq Abdulfatah

Iran and Oman are in discussions to create a framework that will ensure safe navigation for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said on Monday.

Speaking at a press briefing in Tehran, Baghaei explained that the talks are still ongoing and will continue until both sides reach a final agreement. He noted that recent meetings between the deputy foreign ministers of the two countries show how seriously both governments are taking the issue of maritime security.

He added that Iran has already introduced measures to safeguard the Strait in line with international law. At the same time, he made it clear that vessels from countries involved in attacks against Iran would not be allowed to pass through the waterway.

The discussions come after a sharp escalation in the region. On February 28, the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, targeting major cities including Tehran. The White House said the action was taken in response to missile and nuclear threats. The attacks reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei along with several senior officials.

In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps carried out a wide-scale retaliation, striking Israel and targeting US-linked sites across several countries, including Bahrain, Jordan, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Syria using missiles, drones, and other weapons.

The ongoing conflict has increased risks to energy facilities and shipping routes across the region. Rising tensions around the Strait of Hormuz have already pushed global oil prices higher. Iran maintains control over the waterway and currently allows passage only to vessels it considers acceptable.

Source: Trend News Agency