Tehran/Washington/Sanaa/Muscat, 06 August (H.S.): Iran and Oman are close to finalising an agreement over the Strait of Hormuz, but uncertainty remains over whether the strategic waterway will be reopened. Iran has said that despite progress in talks, it will not open the strait until the United States ends its naval blockade. Tehran’s stance has raised concerns over the reopening of one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes and increased fears of renewed military tensions in the Middle East.

Amid the ongoing developments, US President Donald Trump said that an agreement regarding the Strait of Hormuz could soon be reached during talks between Iran and Oman.

According to reports by CNN, CBS News, and Al Jazeera, Iran’s warning came at a time when global attention is focused on the outcome of negotiations between Tehran and Muscat. The Iranian Foreign Ministry said that Iran and Oman have already agreed on a route for ships passing through the strait and are working to finalise a framework for jointly managing the waterway.

Official sources cited by Iranian media stressed that the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz would depend on the United States. They said that if Washington fulfils its commitment and ends the naval blockade around Iranian ports, the waterway would be reopened.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry said, The American factor that is making the Strait of Hormuz unsafe still exists. The naval blockade is one of the major factors.

Speaking to reporters at the Red Rock Casino Resort in Las Vegas on Wednesday, President Trump said significant progress had been made in negotiations aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz. He said an announcement could be made on Wednesday or Thursday.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry also acknowledged that Iran and Oman had reached an understanding regarding a route for commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz and were finalising arrangements for its joint management.

Trump reiterated that when he halted attacks against Iran, the United States had been fully prepared for what he described as the largest military operation since World War II.

Meanwhile, an explosion was reported on a commercial tanker in the Strait of Hormuz. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said on Thursday in a post on X that explosions were heard from an oil tanker while it was passing through the Strait of Hormuz near Oman. The incident occurred around 10 nautical miles southeast of Kumzar, Oman. All crew members were reported safe.

The Iran-backed Houthi militant group operating in Yemen also confirmed an attack in the region. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed that the group targeted another Saudi oil tanker on Wednesday.

Saree said the Houthis attacked the Saudi oil tanker Daisy with a ballistic missile in the Gulf of Aden, south of the Bab al-Mandab Strait. The group claimed that its fighters would target every Saudi oil tanker passing through the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

The latest developments have heightened concerns over maritime security in the region, with both the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab remaining critical routes for global energy supplies.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar