Iran: Implementation of Hormuz understanding with Oman hinges on US’s fulfilling its commitments

Iran says implementation of the understanding it has reached with Oman concerning arrangements for transit through the Strait of Hormuz hinges on the United States’ fulfillment of its commitments towards the Islamic Republic that Washington has suspended.

Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, Kazem Gharibabadi made the remarks on Saturday, commenting on a temporary arrangement reached between Tehran and Muscat that had been announced by the official, himself, earlier this week.

“The Islamic Republic has reached an understanding with Oman concerning arrangements for transit through the Strait of Hormuz. However, this understanding will not automatically enter the implementation phase, as its implementation is conditional upon the fulfillment of commitments by the other party, specifically the United States,” he said.

The official rejected the idea that Iran should initiate the process of fulfilling commitments linked to reopening the waterway.

“It is not for us to take the first step in fulfilling the commitments related to reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Rather, it was the United States that suspended its commitments. Washington must return to fulfilling those commitments, and we have made entirely clear the steps that must be taken by the United States,” he stated.

“We have explicitly stated that whenever the conditions are met and the commitments incumbent upon the United States are fulfilled, the Islamic Republic is likewise prepared to take its own measures regarding the Strait of Hormuz.”

Iran closed the chokepoint following the launch of the latest bout of unprovoked American-Israeli aggression against the country on February 28.

The Islamic Republic and the United States agreed on a 60-day reopening period as part of a Pakistan-mediated memorandum of understanding in June, but American violations forced Tehran to reestablish the closure.

Tehran has conditioned reopening of the waterway on realization of a number of prerequisites, including the complete lifting of the US’s illegal naval and economic blockade against the Islamic Republic, durable cessation of aggression on all fronts, including Lebanon, and clarification of the situation concerning the blockade of Yemen.

Gharibabadi reminded that it was the United States, and not Iran that violated the Islamabad memorandum, adding that the Islamic Republic should not be expected to bear the consequences of the US’s misconduct.

“The responsibility and obligation now lie with the other party to meet the necessary requirements, so that Iran can take reciprocal action.”

The official underlined that Iran was not under pressure to reopen the strait if the United States did not take the required action.

“If they take no action, then naturally the Islamic Republic is in no hurry to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and will continue its measures to defend the country and confront its enemies. Iran has always been prepared for every scenario.”

Gharibabadi also rejected claims that certain vessels had been able to pass through the waterway without restrictions or coordination with Iran.

“If any vessel passes through this route, it certainly does so in coordination with and with the permission of the Islamic Republic.”

Iran’s Armed Forces have complete oversight of all movements in the Strait of Hormuz and are carrying out their mission to control the chokepoint in the best possible manner, he stated.

Addressing the US’s recent announcement of additional sanctions against Iran, the senior diplomat said the measures did not represent a new development from Tehran's perspective and that Iran was fully prepared to deal with them.

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