Iranian lawmaker Behnam Saeedi said Thursday that the understanding reached with Oman does not mean the Strait of Hormuz will reopen, stressing that the strategic waterway will remain closed until threats against Iran end.
Speaking to Iran's Young Journalists Club news agency, Saeedi, first secretary of the Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, said the talks with Oman are limited to determining navigation procedures and shipping routes for vessels.
"The understanding with Oman does not mean the Strait of Hormuz will be reopened," Saeedi said.
Saeedi said reopening the Strait would only be considered after the US ended its presence and what Iran describes as threats in the area and the war was officially declared over, adding that there was currently no reason to reopen the strategic waterway.
Saeedi also said Oman "must bear in mind that Iran will not allow the Americans to intervene in or maintain a presence in the Strait of Hormuz."
- US-Iran conflict and Hormuz negotiations
Under the first phase of an agreement reached between Iran and the US on June 14 through Pakistani mediation, the Strait of Hormuz was to be reopened in exchange for the release of Iran's frozen assets by Washington.
The deal also envisaged Iran waiving transit fees for ships passing through the strategic waterway for 60 days.
However, the US did not release Iran's frozen assets after the agreement was signed and instead designated an alternative route through Omani territorial waters for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran viewed those moves as a violation of the agreement, subsequently restricting transit through the Strait and attacking several vessels it said had attempted to pass without authorization.
Despite the agreement, tensions between Tehran and Washington escalated into heavy fighting around the Strait of Hormuz on July 8, with clashes continuing for about two weeks.
Iran later resumed talks with Oman, which borders Hormuz, to establish safe navigation corridors for ships.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said on Aug. 5 that negotiations with Oman had entered the final stage and that the proposed route would serve as a temporary corridor expected to remain in place for two to four months.
He added that the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz would depend on the US position.
Reporting by Ahmet Dursun
Writing by Duygu Alhan
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr
