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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (right) meets with Omani Foreign Minister Badr Al-Busaidi for talks in Tehran, Iran, on the 25th (local time). / AP, Yonhap

The foreign ministers of Iran and Oman have agreed on a joint framework to establish a temporary navigation corridor and conduct mine-clearing operations in the Strait of Hormuz, a key crude oil transit route in the Middle East.

According to Al Jazeera on the 25th (local time), Omani Foreign Minister Badr Al-Busaidi visited the Iranian capital of Tehran and held talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

In a joint statement released immediately after the meeting, the two countries stated that they "discussed a phased framework to lay a viable groundwork for the future."

According to the statement, the cooperation measures discussed center on pursuing joint projects to establish temporary shipping lanes and conduct demining operations in the Strait of Hormuz.

The two sides agreed to continue technical negotiations to establish permanent shipping routes, manage the strait, exchange intelligence, and set up a maritime traffic management system. Iran's semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported that Iran and Oman plan to hold talks within the next 30 to 60 days to negotiate a new permanent maritime route.

The two countries also specified that joint discussions with Gulf littoral states are necessary to ensure that any future agreement complies with international law and respects the sovereignty of neighboring countries.

Following the meeting, Minister Al-Busaidi stated on social media, "We look forward to the announcement of a temporary navigation corridor in the near future," adding that "a permanent management framework for the strait will be established sequentially at a later stage."

These discussions took place amid persistent tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump, citing the U.S. Navy, claimed that "all mines in international waters in the Strait of Hormuz have been cleared or detonated," warning that any vessel attempting to lay mines again would be struck immediately.

While the Iranian side agreed with Oman on setting geographical coordinates for the maritime corridor, it maintains that the lifting of U.S. naval blockades and crude oil sanctions on Iran, as well as the return of frozen assets overseas, must precede any full reopening of the strait.

                                                                                                         Lee Jeong-eun