Iranian official: 'We rely on our strength to deter the United States'

Iranian official Esmail Baqaei said Iran is not holding talks with the US but is in advanced negotiations with Oman to arrange a temporary and safe transit route in the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran made clear the strait will not open as long as American strikes continue. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi updated that the talks with Oman are in their final stages.

Iranian official Esmail Baqaei said Iran is not currently holding talks with the United States, but is conducting advanced negotiations with Oman to arrange a temporary and safe transit route in the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran made clear that the strait will not open as long as American strikes continue. Baqaei added that reaching an agreement with Oman is not enough to reopen the strait, as the situation will remain unchanged as long as American "aggression" continues. He noted that the new route being discussed with Oman will be a single route with entry and exit corridors. The negotiations will also address the cessation of all strikes in the region, including attacks carried out by pro-Iranian armed factions in Iraq, as well as the resumption of unhindered Iranian oil exports. Middle Eastern countries playing a mediating role intend to deepen their contacts with Washington and Tehran in the coming days. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi noted in a Telegram post that he presented a report during a meeting of Iran's government on the latest developments in the negotiations with Oman, and noted the progress in the talks. He added that the negotiations have entered their final stages and are close to completion, without revealing further details.