Iran said Saturday that it was close to an agreement with Oman on new shipping arrangements through the Strait of Hormuz, but insisted that such a deal alone would not reopen the strategic waterway.
The negotiations come as attacks on commercial shipping continue, with the United Arab Emirates reporting that a carrier affiliated with its state oil company was struck by a missile while transiting the strait.
No injuries were reported.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Tehran and Muscat were “very close” to agreeing on a new shipping route, while stressing that reopening the strait depended on separate conditions, including U.S. compensation to Iran.
Iranian officials said Washington must also end threats and military action against Iran and its regional allies, withdraw forces involved in blockading Iran, lift sanctions and unfreeze Iranian assets.
The Revolutionary Guards similarly said reopening Hormuz was conditional on Washington accepting Iran's demands and was separate from negotiations with Oman.
Araqchi said the previous shipping traffic separation system was no longer acceptable to Tehran.
Iran and Oman are instead discussing a temporary route while technical and legal questions surrounding a permanent arrangement are addressed.
Oman described the negotiations as positive and constructive while condemning repeated attacks on vessels transiting the strait without assigning responsibility.
The UAE said Iran struck a carrier affiliated with its state oil company with a missile on Saturday.
The UK maritime trade monitor UKMTO separately reported that a vessel caught fire after being hit by an unknown projectile, although the blaze was extinguished and no environmental impact was reported.
Iranian authorities did not immediately comment on the incident.
A U.S. official said Friday that Washington expected an Iran-Oman agreement soon and that the United States would lift its blockade of Iranian ports once commercial shipping was restored without impediments, with U.S. actions tied to Iranian implementation.
Iran, however, has maintained that reopening the strait requires broader concessions from Washington.
A proposed Iran-Oman arrangement would reportedly give Tehran some control over vessels entering the Gulf, while Iran has also charged tolls on oil tankers during the conflict.