Iran says the U.S. is ready to return to commitments. A joint Iran-Oman statement on Hormuz nears final drafting after a June pact granted 60 days of free transit.
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Iran said Washington was ready to return to its commitments under the interim understanding signed with the U.S. last month. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibadadi denied that negotiations with Washington were underway, telling state broadcaster IRNA on Wednesday that "the path of understanding is between Iran and Oman, and no negotiations with the US have taken place during this period."
Gharibadadi's remarks followed President Donald Trump's comments Monday that talks were happening "whether Iran wants to admit it or not." Trump accused the Islamic republic's leaders of being "duplicitous" about the peace process.
Under the memorandum of understanding signed June 17, Tehran was to allow commercial vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz with no charge for 60 days. Washington committed in return to lifting its naval blockade of Iranian ships, among other measures. Gharibadadi did not elaborate on which commitments he meant; his reference appeared to be to that document.
Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Bagahei said before Gharibadadi spoke that a joint statement from Iran and Oman regarding the strait was in the "final review and drafting stage," provided that "some third parties do not obstruct work in this regard."
The southern route through the strait passes through Omani territorial waters rather than the stretch closer to Iran. U.S. Central Command insisted in an X post Tuesday that the route "remains free and open for all commercial vessels seeking to transit the international waterway."
Axios reported Tuesday night that the U.S., Iran and Oman were closing in on an interim agreement to reopen the strait, with Washington aiming for a Wednesday announcement. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CNBC a deal to unlock the waterway could be reached as soon as Wednesday.
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