Iran says Strait of Hormuz deal with Oman is close as UAE reports ship attack

Tehran, Iran. Iran said on Saturday it was close to an agreement with Oman on control of the Strait of Hormuz, but said the deal alone would not reopen the waterway. The United Arab Emirates said Iran had struck another ship in the strait, with no injuries reported.

Shipping route negotiations

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Iran and Oman, which sit on opposite sides of the strait, were “very close” to an agreement on a new shipping route.

However, he said reopening the strategic waterway depended on other conditions, including U.S. compensation to Iran.

Araqchi said the previous shipping traffic separation scheme through the strait was no longer acceptable to Tehran. Iran was discussing a temporary route with Oman while technical and legal issues concerning a permanent route were resolved, he added.

U.S. expectations

A U.S. official, speaking anonymously on Friday, said Washington expected an agreement between Iran and Oman soon that would allow normal oil traffic to resume.

An agreement over control of the waterway is regarded as important to a broader arrangement aimed at ending the conflict that began with U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28.

In recent weeks, the Trump administration has repeatedly indicated that an agreement to reopen the strait could be near, while Iran has denied that talks were under way. It remained unclear whether the latest negotiations would result in a lasting arrangement.

UAE reports carrier strike

The UAE said on Saturday that Iran had attacked a carrier affiliated with its state oil company with a missile while it was transiting the Strait of Hormuz. No injuries were reported.

Iranian authorities did not immediately comment. Iranian media reported the UAE statement but did not include the part blaming Iran for the attack.

Iran has responded to the U.S. attacks by targeting U.S. bases in Gulf states and Jordan, as well as shipping in the narrow strait, which carried a fifth of global oil and gas shipments before the war.