Iran said on Monday that U.S. pressure on Oman has hindered efforts to reach a joint mechanism for managing the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran said the obstacle has slowed negotiations despite ongoing discussions with Muscat on the strategic waterway. The dispute could affect regional maritime security, global energy shipments, and diplomatic efforts between Iran and the United States.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran has been working with Oman to establish a joint mechanism for the Strait of Hormuz. However, he claimed U.S. pressure on Oman has prevented meaningful progress toward an agreement. He stressed that recent talks held in Oman focused solely on managing the strategic waterway rather than broader political issues.
Read more: US–Iran tensions spiral as Hormuz becomes flashpoint again
Baghaei also said Iran would not comply with the terms of its interim agreement with Washington while the United States failed to fulfill its own commitments. He stated the interim deal had undoubtedly entered a crisis stage. Moreover, he insisted Iran had never been the first party to violate its obligations under the agreement.
Furthermore, Baghaei said Iran’s recent attacks in Gulf countries targeted only U.S. military positions. He denied the operations were directed against the Gulf states themselves. He added that Iran had repeatedly urged regional countries not to allow the United States to use their territory for attacks against Iran.
Read more: Strait of Hormuz tensions deepen amid US–Iran conflict
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical maritime routes for global energy supplies. Consequently, developments surrounding the waterway are closely watched by international markets and regional governments. Oman continues to play a key mediating role in efforts to reduce tensions between Iran and the United States.