Iran has stated that it is preparing to reach an agreement with Oman and issue a joint statement regarding passage through the Strait of Hormuz, while U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly expressed confidence that the Strait of Hormuz would soon reopen.
On the 5th (local time), Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Bagai said regarding the Strait of Hormuz, “Both sides have already agreed on the geographical coordinates of the route they intend,” adding, “If a third party does not obstruct the negotiations, the joint statement of both countries, which includes the main considerations and agreed-upon contents, is also in the final review and drafting stage.”
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also claimed that a final agreement was imminent, saying, “I believe that an agreement will be reached today or tomorrow, the strait will open, and the dispute could enter a more normal phase.”
However, Iran still draws a line against rumors of negotiations with the United States.
Spokesperson Bagai said that day, “Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, any future agreements will be made only through bilateral consultations with Oman, and external intervention will not be allowed,” adding, “Even if a new route is secured, we cannot guarantee the safety of the strait in its entirety.” It pointed out that “the U.S. maritime blockade and other measures are destabilizing the strait.”
Will Trump ultimately hand over the right of passage through Hormuz to Iran
Iran’s announcement so far is far from the information previously stated by the United States, including Secretary of State Rubio. In particular, some voices are expressing concern that the United States may, in effect, be handing over control of the Hormuz to Iran.
Citing multiple sources involved in the negotiations, Reuters reported, “The agreement between Iran and Oman specifies Iran’s control over vessels entering the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz,” adding, “The draft agreement is now left pending final approval from the Supreme Leader.”
Regarding the Iran–Oman agreement that explicitly mentions “Iran’s control over the region,” the U.S. online media Axios said, “This agreement includes partial acceptance of Iran’s demands concerning the right of passage,” adding, “This amounts to recognition of a level of control that Iran was unable to secure before the war.”
Kazem Gharibavi, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, also emphasized, “If the new agreement is implemented, the existing provisional routes in the Strait of Hormuz will be closed, and a significant portion of the shipping lanes entering and leaving the strait will pass through Iranian territorial waters,” adding, “However, the agreement with Oman does not mean the full opening of the Strait of Hormuz.”
A local source told Reuters, “The concession to grant control over the Strait of Hormuz in any form has already been made,” while another source said, “The details of how to define ‘control’ are still under discussion.”
Trump: “I want to reach an agreement with Iran; I don’t want to kill anyone”
Meanwhile, President Trump, speaking in Las Vegas, Nevada, said, "I want to reach an agreement with Iran." He said, "Because I don't want to kill people."
It went on to suggest that Iran could be attacked again depending on the situation, while repeating the claim that the United States had canceled preparations for the largest attack on Iran since World War II.
However, President Trump did not specifically mention the talks between Iran and Oman, which are making progress on opening the Strait of Hormuz.
Reuters reported, "If an agreement between Iran and Oman is reached, it would open the door for the United States and Iran to resume negotiations on the nuclear program." Although the possibility of resuming nuclear talks is increasing, it can be interpreted as meaning that the U.S. has effectively made significant concessions on control of the strait, so it remains unclear whether President Trump will accept the agreement.
Reporter Song Hyun-seo
As a result of this war, it seems that Iran will gain control over the Strait of Hormuz.
This war will likely go down as one of Trump’s greatest acts of trolling, to the point where its meaning is almost incomprehensible.
The American staff appear incompetent.
