Iran not holding any talks with the United States
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei. Photo: X
Iran is not holding any talks with the United States. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei made this clear at a press conference.
However, he said Tehran is working with Oman to establish a ‘temporary shipping lane’ to ensure the safe passage of vessels through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson also said at the press conference that discussions are underway with Muscat to launch the temporary shipping lane through the strategic waterway.
According to the semiofficial Fars News Agency, Baghaei said, “Ensuring the safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz is the main focus of our current discussions with Oman.”
He also said, “We are working with Oman to establish a temporary shipping lane as quickly as possible to ensure the security of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.”
Baghaei said the discussions are centered on creating an interim shipping lane that takes into account the interests of the two coastal countries. Under the plan, a two-way shipping lane would be created by combining the southern route through Omani territorial waters with the northern route through Iranian territorial waters.
He said, “The current discussions are about one two-way shipping lane, not two or three separate routes.”
He also said the ‘temporary shipping lane’ will remain in operation until a permanent alternative shipping route is introduced.
Baghaei also rejected reports that Iran is engaged in talks with the United States. He said, “We are not holding any talks with the United States.”
On Sunday, US President Donald Trump said talks with Iran would begin Monday afternoon. He also expressed optimism about quickly reaching an agreement on the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s ‘nuclear disarmament.’
Baghaei also said, “As long as the United States continues its aggression and sanctions, there will be no change in the situation in the Strait of Hormuz.”
From July 8 to July 24, the United States and Iran exchanged military strikes. Washington carried out attacks on various targets inside Iran. In response, Tehran launched attacks on what it claimed were US military installations and equipment in several Arab countries, particularly Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait.
The tensions emerged after Washington and Tehran began talks in June aimed at signing a memorandum of understanding and reaching a final agreement. The discussions later stalled because of disagreements over security guarantees and freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important routes for global energy supplies and trade.
Source: Reuters (Adapted)
