Iran Discusses Strait of Hormuz with Oman, Excludes US
The Iranian government is currently in talks with Oman regarding the management of the Strait of Hormuz. The Iranian Foreign Ministry said the United States is not involved in those talks.
“These negotiations have nothing to do with the United States. This is a bilateral matter between Iran and Oman, and the talks are still ongoing,” said Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei at his 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 the deputy foreign ministers of the two countries held talks last Friday (24/7) and Saturday (25/7) on “general principles and operational mechanisms” to ensure safe passage through the strait.
Traffic through Hormuz, a vital global shipping lane, has been under Iranian control since the outbreak of war with Israel and the United States on 28 February.
In recent days, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) have forced back several vessels, including six ships on Monday morning (27/7), that attempted to cross the strait outside routes designated by Iran.
The Strait of Hormuz remains the main flashpoint between Iran and the United States, with fighting resuming early this month after a ceasefire as the two adversaries compete for control of the waterway.
Iran insists on maintaining control over the strait’s management, including the collection of service fees, while continuing to involve Oman, which also borders the Strait of Hormuz directly.
On Monday, Baghaei criticised the United States, saying that American behaviour in recent years “resembles a mafia gang that does not abide by any rules or laws”.
“As long as such behaviour by the United States continues, we cannot expect any reasonable process to emerge,” he added.
Iran also said it is not currently engaged in negotiations with the United States, even though fighting between the two sides has recently stopped.
“At present, we are not involved in any negotiations with the United States,” Baghaei said at the weekly press conference, denying reports that Iran had requested talks.