Iran and Oman negotiate historic maritime agreement

Tehran confirms it is close to concluding a historic agreement in its negotiations

with the Sultanate of Oman to regulate maritime

navigation in the Strait of Hormuz in a step representing a" new

model" ending the maritime arrangements in place for the past decades.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, confirmed reaching

understandings with Oman regarding the entry and exit route of

ships from the strait, pointing out that the

new route is designed for commercial ships to pass through Iranian

territorial waters,

and that both sides discussed establishing a joint center to manage

navigation in the

strait and obtain

ship coordinates.

Washington has not yet commented on the proposal, but US officials insist on

not accepting Iran's control over maritime

navigation in the world's most important trade corridor for energy supplies.

Gulf sources spoke of outstanding

issues regarding the definition and determination of how to" control" navigation,

with Gulf negotiators insisting on the need for regional countries to oversee

ship inspection operations, And he refused to pay any

crossing fees.