Iran's foreign ministry spokesman says the Strait of Hormuz remains closed as talks with Oman continue at ministerial level

Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesman for Iran's foreign ministry, said on the evening of Thursday, 30 July 2026 (8 Mordad 1405), in response to a question about the state of talks with Oman, that the discussions which began last Friday and Saturday in Tehran are continuing, and that on Wednesday the two sides also held talks at foreign-minister level.

He added that the talks between Iran and Oman as two coastal states have been on the agenda for a long time and are separate from the question of the strait's closure. Baghaei said that what is established is that the Strait of Hormuz is closed for now, attributing that situation to US actions and to insecurity imposed on the waterway, including what he called a naval blockade against Iran. He described the sequence as a continuation of US and Israeli military operations which he said began on 28 February 2026 (9 Esfand 1404).

The status of the Strait of Hormuz is the single most important external variable for the global oil market and for Iran's energy export route; roughly one fifth of world oil trade passes through the waterway. The positions reported here are the statements of Iranian officials, and other parties give their own accounts of the situation.