Deputy Foreign Minister: Iran-Oman Talks on the Strait of Hormuz to Conclude Within 30 to 60 Days

Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran's deputy foreign minister for legal and international affairs, said in a televised interview aired Wednesday, Shahrivar 4, 1405 (August 26, 2026), that under clause five of the Islamabad memorandum of understanding, talks between Iran and Oman on joint arrangements for the future management of the Strait of Hormuz must be completed within 30 to 60 days. He said the goal of these technical talks is to replace the previous maritime traffic scheme, in place for nearly 58 years, with a new corridor for commercial shipping, and that passage through the strait will be permitted for commercial vessels only, not military ones.

Gharibabadi said that under the memorandum, Iran's only commitment regarding the strait was to manage it for 30 days under Iranian arrangements, followed by 60 days of free passage, after which the two countries would negotiate the strait's longer term management and maritime services. He said Iran is fully prepared to face any scenario and has serious countermeasures available should sanctions and the economic blockade continue.