Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, on Aug. 3, 2026. STR/Reuters
Iran and Oman are in the final stages of establishing a new maritime route in the Strait of Hormuz, but the Iranian regime insisted that the waterway won’t reopen until the United States agrees to six demands.
“Talks with Oman do not mean the Strait of Hormuz will be reopened,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Sunday, according to state-run media. “An agreement may be reached, but reopening the strait depends on other conditions conveyed through intermediaries.”
The Iranian regime threatened on Saturday to keep the strait closed until the United States agreed to comply with a list of six demands, which include ending its strikes, stopping its naval blockade, and lifting sanctions.
Despite progress with Oman, Iran denied that peace talks were underway with the United States in a statement released by state media on Aug. 9.
“We are not currently engaged in negotiations with the U.S., but messages are being exchanged through intermediaries,” Araqchi said.
Araqchi said “negotiations cannot resume until the U.S. ends its violation of the Islamabad MoU and takes steps to make up for the violations it has committed.”
The foreign minister is referring to the interim framework agreement between Iran and the United States that collapsed in July, causing U.S. President Donald Trump to order forces to restart the naval blockade of maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports.
On Aug. 3, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that talks to end the war were “going on right now.”
“This is a last chance for them [Iran] to sign a good document,” Trump warned.
Reuters contributed to this report.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
