Iran and Oman have almost finalised an agreement on a shipping corridor in the Strait of Hormuz, but this does not mean the strait will be reopened, said Hassan Ghashghavi, spokesperson for the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, reported Sputnik/RIA Novosti. In August, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said Iran and Oman had agreed to work on establishing a temporary shipping corridor through the Strait of Hormuz and jointly clearing mines along the route, while continuing discussions on a permanent shipping corridor through the currently closed strait.
“The issue of the agreement with Oman regarding the corridor in the Strait of Hormuz, meaning the vessel traffic system, has been almost fully worked out. We reiterate that the agreement on the corridor in the Strait of Hormuz does not mean it will be opened. The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the United States (US) accepts and fulfils Iran’s conditions,” Ghashghavi said.
Iranian armed forces will continue to control the Strait of Hormuz until the US fulfils the “conditions defined based on the 14-point Islamabad Memorandum” signed by Tehran and Washington in June, the politician added.
On Feb 28, the US and Israel began striking targets in Iran, prompting Tehran to launch retaliatory strikes.
In mid-June, Tehran and Washington signed a memorandum to cease hostilities, but resumed exchanging strikes shortly afterwards. At present, the conflict remains unresolved.
The escalation has virtually halted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key supply route for global oil, petroleum products and liquefied natural gas. As a result, fuel prices have risen in most countries.
Source: BERNAMA-SPUTNIK
