BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 12. Iran and Oman have
agreed to continue negotiations at the political and
technical-legal levels to develop a joint agreement aimed at
ensuring the safety of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
The announcement was made by Iranian Foreign Ministry
spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei.
"Talks were held in Muscat between the foreign ministers of Iran
and Oman to coordinate measures by the two littoral states
regarding the management of passage through the Strait of Hormuz
and navigation in the waterway," he said.
According to Baghaei, technical and legal delegations from both
countries also participated in the discussions. During the
consultations, the sides exchanged views on compliance with
international law by the two littoral states, as well as on
ensuring security in the Strait of Hormuz and the safe passage of
vessels in accordance with Article 5 of the Islamabad Memorandum of
Understanding.
"In light of developments over the past several months,
particularly the military attacks by the United States and Israel
against Iran and the dangerous incidents affecting navigation in
the Strait of Hormuz, Iran emphasizes the importance of regulating
measures for the future management of passage through the strait
through consultations between the two littoral states," he
added.
Baghaei also said that a Qatari delegation participated in the
talks in Muscat as one of the key regional countries that has acted
as a mediator in discussions between the United States and Iran in
recent months.
Earlier, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that on
July 12, U.S. forces completed another series of strikes against
Iran. It was the third attack against Iran within the past week.
The strikes were carried out in response to Iran's attack on a
commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. Overnight into Sunday,
U.S. forces struck approximately 140 Iranian military targets.
For its part, Iran said it had shelled U.S. military positions
in countries across the region.
