Iran Discusses Strait of Hormuz with Oman, Excludes US

The Iranian government is holding discussions with Oman concerning the management of the Strait of Hormuz. The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the United States is not involved in the talks. “These discussions have nothing to do with the United States. This is a bilateral matter between Iran and Oman, and the talks are ongoing,” said Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei during a weekly press conference, as reported by AFP and Al Arabiya on Monday (27/7/2026). He added that the strategic waterway “remains closed.” He said deputy foreign ministers from both countries held talks on Friday (24/7) and Saturday (25/7) regarding “general principles and operational mechanisms” to ensure safe shipping lanes through the strait. Traffic through Hormuz, a vital global shipping route, has been under Iranian control since the outbreak of war with Israel and the United States on 28 February. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has in recent days turned back several vessels, including six ships on Monday (27/7) morning, that attempted to traverse the strait outside routes designated by Iran. The Strait of Hormuz remains a major point of conflict between Iran and the United States, with fighting resuming earlier this month after a ceasefire, as the two adversaries vie for control of the strait. Iran insists on maintaining control over the management of the strait, including the collection of service fees, while involving Oman, which also borders the Strait of Hormuz. On Monday, Baghaei criticised the United States. He said that US behaviour in recent years “resembles a mafia gang that obeys no rules or laws.” “As long as such behaviour by the United States continues, we cannot expect a reasonable process to emerge,” he added. Iran also stated that it is not currently engaged in negotiations with the United States, despite a recent halt in fighting between the two sides. “At present, we are not engaged in any negotiations with the United States,” Baghaei told the weekly press conference, denying reports that Iran had requested talks.