Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said the discussions follow Iran’s commitment under a June 18 memorandum to assist in managing navigation through the Strait and restore maritime traffic to pre-conflict levels within 30 days. However, he alleged that these efforts were disrupted after the United States launched military strikes against Iran before the agreed timeline and reinstated restrictions on Iranian oil exports.     According to Baqaei, the proposed interim corridor would replace the existing separate northern and southern shipping routes with a single intermediate passage that addresses the security and operational concerns of both Iran and Oman. The arrangement would remain in place until the two countries agree on a permanent replacement for the existing international Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS).     He also criticised the current southern route through Omani waters, stating that it raised environmental and national security concerns. Baqaei claimed that some vessels using the route were transporting military equipment despite the understanding that it was intended solely for commercial shipping.

The Iranian spokesperson stressed that the ongoing negotiations are strictly limited to maritime navigation and should not be viewed as part of broader diplomatic discussions. He added that sovereignty, national security, sovereign rights and maritime services would be key considerations in any final agreement.

Iran and Oman have reportedly exchanged navigational maps and conducted technical reviews involving maritime specialists over the past week, while Tehran has called on regional and international stakeholders to support the negotiations.     The discussions come amid renewed security tensions in the Gulf region. Reports indicate that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched drone attacks targeting a US military base in Kuwait, while explosions were also reported in Iraq’s Basra province. Separately, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that a cargo vessel was struck by an unidentified projectile approximately 20 nautical miles northeast of Al Khasab, Oman.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump stated that discussions with Iran were underway, describing them as Tehran’s “last chance” to reach an agreement. Iran, however, denied that any negotiations with the United States were taking place or had been scheduled.