Oman, Iran reaffirm their commitment to ensuring safe passage through Strait of Hormuz

Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman and the Islamic Republic of Iran issued today a joint statement reading as follows:

“The Sultanate of Oman and the Islamic Republic of Iran held talks in Muscat during the visit made by Dr. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of the Parliament of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and Dr. Abbas Araghchi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

During the visit, the Iranian delegation was granted an audience by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik. The delegation also held talks with Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister.

The Sultanate of Oman affirmed its support for the "Islamabad" Memorandum of Understanding signed between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran, and emphasized the importance of continuing dialogue and coordination to support its successful implementation.

The Sultanate of Oman and the Islamic Republic of Iran, as the two coastal states bordering the Strait of Hormuz, reaffirmed their steadfast commitment to ensuring safe passage through the Strait in full conformity with the relevant provisions of international law, while underscoring their sovereignty and sovereign rights over their respective territorial waters in the Strait. The two sides also deliberated on matters relating to the Strait in accordance with the provisions set forth in the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.

The two sides agreed to sustain dialogue on this matter through a joint working group established between their respective Foreign Ministries, with the aim of reaching an agreement on the future management of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, the services to be rendered in this regard, and the associated costs, in line with internationally recognized standards. In this context, the two sides agreed to engage in discussions with littoral states of the region, as well as with any other related parties.

The two sides affirmed that all arrangements pertaining to the Strait of Hormuz must fully respect the sovereignty and sovereign rights of the two Strait states.

The Sultanate of Oman and the Islamic Republic of Iran renewed their commitment to preserving the Strait of Hormuz as a safe and open maritime passage for international navigation, and emphasized the imperative of continued cooperation to reinforce maritime safety, safeguard the freedom of navigation and uphold regional stability.”