Iran says its close to finalising a shipping route agreement with Oman

Lead

Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, said on Sunday that a deal with Oman on new maritime routes through the Strait of Hormuz is close to being finalised. However, he cautioned that an agreement would not automatically reopen the waterway, which is crucial to global supplies of oil and natural gas.

Araghchi said, "The old routes will be replaced with new ones. Experts are currently working on the maps," as reported by Africa News. He added, "Reopening the Strait of Hormuz depends on a separate set of conditions being met, and those conditions are being conveyed through intermediaries."

Coverage comparison

Two outlets have reported on the negotiations, with subtle differences in focus. TASS, quoting a post on Araghchi's Telegram channel, reported that the foreign minister presented a report on the talks at the beginning of a government meeting, noting progress and stating the negotiations are at the final stage and nearing completion. The TASS report also mentioned that the Fars agency had earlier reported Iran had not given permission to open the Strait of Hormuz, and that reports by Israeli television channel N12 claiming Tehran accepted a proposal by Qatari mediators to resume the waterway's operation have nothing to do with reality.

Africa News, on the other hand, provided more detail on the conditions tied to reopening the strait. The outlet quoted Araghchi on the need for the US to stop "violating" a memorandum of understanding signed in June, and reported on the demands issued by Iran's Supreme National Security Council.

Neither outlet suggests the deal itself is in question; rather, the emphasis is on the conditions that must be met for the strait to reopen.

Key claims

• Iran and Oman are in negotiations regarding navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, with talks nearing completion, as reported by both Africa News and TASS.
• Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reported progress in the talks, according to both outlets.
• The deal between Iran and Oman does not mean the waterway will be automatically reopened, a claim reported only by Africa News.
• The US must stop violating a memorandum of understanding signed in June, a condition conveyed by Araghchi and reported only by Africa News.
• Iran's Supreme National Security Council demands that the US correct its behavior and has issued new demands, including that the US must never threaten Iran again and must permanently end the war with Iran and its armed allies in the region, according to Africa News.
• The statement also called for Washington to lift its naval blockade of Iranian ports, withdraw its military from the area, completely compensate Iran for war damage, lift sanctions, and unconditionally release frozen assets, as reported by Africa News.