Hormuz reopening hinges on ‘other conditions’, compensation for US violation: Iran FM Abbas Araghchi

Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi on Saturday said that an understanding with Oman on regulating traffic through the Strait of Hormuz does not amount to reopening the strategic waterway as Tehran and Muscat continue negotiations on a temporary shipping route as reported by news agencies IRIB and Al JazeeraAccording to the IRIB news agency Araghchi said that the talks were ongoing and that a provisional route was being worked out due to the technical complexities involved He said that the sides were very close to the final result but stressed that reopening the strait remained subject to additional conditionsThis action does not indicate the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz Araghchi said adding that the reopening would depend on other conditions and compensation for the violation of the memorandum of understanding by the United States according to IRIBAccording to Al Jazeera Araghchi said that Tehran had been implementing Clause 5 of the 14point Memorandum of Understanding MoU previously reached in Islamabad under which traffic was expected to return to normal within a monthHe said traffic had reached 60 per cent of normal conditions within two weeks before the United States allegedly sought to establish new routes through the Strait of Hormuz despite warnings from TehranAraghchi said that the current negotiations were focused on establishing a temporary shipping route that could eventually serve as the basis for a permanent arrangementBefore reaching a new route a temporary route will be considered as the basis for the main route he said adding that discussions had taken place between the military and naval forces of the countries involvedThe statement comes as a US official stated on Friday local time that progress has been made in talks between Iran and Oman which could lead to the reopening of the strategic Strait of Hormuz and restore oil exports disrupted by the fivemonthold conflictReuters citing the US official speaking on the condition of anonymity noted that Washington expects an agreement shortly between Iran and Oman the two nations bordering the waterway allowing standard commercial oil shipments to resume Securing a deal over control of the strategic passage is considered a key stepping stone toward a broader peace agreementThere is progress between Oman and Iran on the strait and we expect a deal soon Once the deal is announced to restore commercial shipping without impediments the United States will lift the blockade of Iranian ports Reuters reported the official as sayingThe official emphasised that future steps would depend on Iran fulfilling its obligations stating As always US actions will continue to be performancebased and tied to Irans implementation of its commitmentsOn the other hand US President Donald Trump on Thursday local time expressed confidence that the conflict involving Iran would end pretty soon saying that he believes the Islamic Republic cant go much longer He also voiced optimism over ongoing negotiations related to the Strait of Hormuz while reaffirming the commitment to prevent Iran from posessing a nuclear weaponSpeaking to reporters at the Oval Office Trump expressed optimism about negotiations concerning the Strait of Hormuz one of the worlds most critical maritime trade routes for oil shipmentsOn a possible agreement between the US and Iran Trump said I dont want to say it has been its sort of open right now We have a thing called the blockade headed up by the US Navy and we control it But they can always shoot something or drop a mine if you have one mine sitting out there you sort of mess things up because people dont want to take their billiondollar boats and accidentally get hit by a mine But I think were doing very well I am involved in the negotiations I think we are doing fine it could be soonThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever