Iran says no military ships will cross Hormuz under potential Oman deal
Strait of Hormuz. Reuters photo.
Iran has announced that it will not allow any military vessels to transit through the Strait of Hormuz under a potential agreement being negotiated with Oman, a move that could reshape maritime traffic through one of the world's most vital oil and gas chokepoints.
Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi confirmed on Tuesday that Tehran is firmly opposed to military traffic in the strategic waterway under the terms of the emerging deal. His comments came after senior diplomats from Iran and Oman held talks to discuss managing commercial shipping in the strait, which has remained largely closed for nearly six months since the outbreak of the Iran war.
Temporary Traffic Plan
Under the proposed arrangement, Gharibabadi told state television, commercial vessels entering the Persian Gulf would pass through Iranian waters. Outbound traffic, meanwhile, would be routed partly through Iranian waters and partly through Omani waters.
He stressed that the routes would be temporary, and that the two countries must negotiate a permanent maritime traffic plan within 30 to 60 days.
Trump Threatens Oman Over Deal
The agreement has drawn sharp opposition from the United States. President Donald Trump has threatened to bomb Oman if it "gets in the way" of US interests, as his administration objects to key provisions of the evolving deal.
Washington has reportedly told Omani officials that it opposes the joint management of the exit route by Iran and Oman—a passage critical to global energy supplies. The US also believes Oman has not been tough enough in its negotiations with Tehran and is unhappy with Oman's agreement to collect voluntary fees from vessels, even if the charges are tied to security and maritime environmental protection.
Trump: No Timetable for Talks
In a separate interview with Qatar-based Al Jazeera on Wednesday, Trump said he believes the United States is "winning very big" as the conflict with Iran approaches the six-month mark. "I have no time schedule; whatever it takes," he told the broadcaster.
Supreme Leader 'Wounded'
In another interview on Wednesday, Trump said he thinks Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Motjaba Khamenei, is "very seriously wounded" but not dead. Motjaba Khamenei assumed leadership after his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed at the start of the war. The younger Khamenei was badly injured in the attacks and has since remained out of public view.
The developments come as tensions in the region remain high, with the Hormuz deal emerging as a fresh flashpoint between Washington and Tehran—and between the US and its Gulf ally, Oman.
Iran Urges UN to Condemn US 'Economic Onslaught'
Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in a letter to the United Nations on Tuesday, urged the world body to condemn the latest US move to cut Tehran off from the rest of the global economy.
Araghchi described the "economic onslaught" declared this week by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent as a deliberate targeting of Iranian civilians. He accused Washington of "intentional deprivation of access to food, medicines, medical equipment, energy and other necessities"—a move he said amounted to collective punishment of the Iranian people.
The developments come as tensions remain high across the region, with the Hormuz deal emerging as a fresh flashpoint between Washington and Tehran—and between the US and its Gulf ally, Oman—while the humanitarian and economic toll of the conflict continues to mount. (Source: Euronews)
