Kathmandu— Iranian and Omani officials have agreed to a new temporary route for maritime traffic through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, according to Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s deputy foreign minister for legal and international affairs. The agreement, finalized after talks in Tehran on Tuesday, establishes a seven-mile wide corridor utilizing Iranian territorial waters for both entry and part of the exit. However, Gharibabadi emphasized that full reopening of the waterway remains contingent upon the United States fulfilling its obligations under a June peace deal signed between the two countries, following a period of disruption to global oil shipments.

Negotiations and Route Details

The agreement follows weeks of discussions between Iran and Oman regarding control of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, which previously handled approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas before hostilities began in February. Gharibabadi stated that the agreed-upon transit route is temporary, with entry and a portion of the exit passing through Iranian territorial waters. The establishment of this corridor comes after most shipping traffic had been halted due to escalating tensions.

Previous Agreements and Disputes

Prior attempts to establish safe passage have faced challenges. In June, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at de-escalation, Oman and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) announced a southern transit corridor backed by the US, hugging the Omani coast. However, Iran deemed this route a violation of the MoU and subsequently launched attacks on ships utilizing it, leading to its collapse. The current agreement with Oman represents a renewed effort to find a workable solution.

Ongoing Concerns and Security Risks

Despite the new arrangement, concerns remain regarding safety and security in the Strait of Hormuz. Diplomatic efforts toward a broader peace deal have stalled, and passage through the strait continues to be considered dangerous. Just on Tuesday, an oil tanker was disabled by an unidentified projectile near Oman’s Ash Shishah, close to the entrance of the strait, according to reports from the United Kingdom’s maritime trade watchdog. Gharibabadi also dismissed claims that mines had been cleared from international waters, warning that US mine-detection vessels would be vulnerable if they entered the area.

Iran's Conditions and Sanctions Dispute

Gharibabadi reiterated Iran’s position that full normalization of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is dependent on the United States fulfilling its commitments under the June MoU, specifically regarding sanctions relief and the release of frozen Iranian assets. He urged other nations to resist pressure from Washington regarding new sanctions imposed on Iran, predicting their failure as previous campaigns have. “We are urging countries not to succumb to American pressure,” Gharibabadi said, adding that Washington was “mistaken about its ability to enforce its sanctions against our neighbours.”

Future Plans and Long-Term Solutions

According to a joint statement released after the meeting between Iranian and Omani foreign ministers, technical talks are planned to develop a long-term arrangement for managing the strait. These discussions will focus on establishing mechanisms for information sharing, navigational services, and security protocols. Badr Albusaidi, Oman’s Foreign Minister, expressed hope that the countries would “soon announce” the temporary corridor, with a view towards implementing a permanent solution in the future.

Further technical talks are scheduled to address long-term management of the Strait of Hormuz and establish comprehensive security measures for maritime traffic.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.