🔻Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s deputy foreign minister, said: “We have reached an understanding with Oman over arrangements for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, but as long as the United States does not carry out its commitments, the strait will not be opened.”

“United States commitments,” which this Iranian official referred to, are related to the provisions of the Islamabad agreement between the two countries, under which a complete end to military attacks against Iran and the lifting of this country’s naval blockade are part of it.

These are the latest comments by Iran’s senior diplomat following negotiations and reaching an understanding between Tehran and Muscat on creating a new and temporary corridor in the Strait of Hormuz.

Mr. Gharibabadi had previously said about this corridor that it will operate like a round-trip highway, so that ships entering from Iran’s route will exit via Oman’s route.

In statements on Saturday, the seventh of Shahrivar—which were published by the Fars news agency—he said: “The Strait of Hormuz is completely closed, and if a ship passes through the strait, it will certainly be with Iran’s coordination and permission.”

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