TEHRAN — Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Monday political and technical discussions between Iran and Oman on the management of the Strait of Hormuz and maritime shipping traffic will continue following his recent visit to Muscat.
In a post on his official Instagram account, Araghchi elaborated on his short trip to Oman on Saturday, where he met with Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi.
“Together with legal and technical delegations, we discussed coordination between the two coastal states of the Strait of Hormuz regarding the management of the strait and maritime shipping traffic,” Araghchi wrote.
The top Iranian diplomat said the discussions would continue at both the political and technical levels as Tehran and Muscat pursue further coordination on matters concerning the strategic waterway.
Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz to its enemies and their allies shortly after the United States and Israel launched unprovoked aggression against the Islamic Republic on Feb. 28.
Iran later imposed far stricter controls over the waterway after U.S. President Donald Trump announced the continuation of an illegal naval blockade of Iranian vessels and ports despite a ceasefire that Trump had declared on April 7.
In a statement posted on its X account on Sunday, the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) announced that the Strait of Hormuz had been closed to all transit following recent “illegal movements” by U.S. military forces in the region.
“Due to recent unlawful movements by United States military forces in the region, transit through the Strait of Hormuz is currently not possible,” the authority said.
During their meeting in Muscat on Saturday, the Iranian and Omani foreign ministers discussed mechanisms to ensure the safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz in accordance with Article 5 of the Islamabad memorandum of understanding.
Under the 14-point memorandum signed between Iran and the United States, Article 5 assigns responsibility for the management of the Strait of Hormuz to Iran, giving Tehran responsibility for the future administration of the strategic waterway and the provision of maritime services in consultation with Oman.
According to the memorandum, the inclusion of the phrase “under Iranian arrangements” reflects recognition of Tehran’s central role in governing the Strait of Hormuz.