Iran and Oman Discuss Median Lane for Ships in Strait of Hormuz

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met Oman's Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi in Muscat on Saturday to discuss safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Qatari officials joined the talks, which considered creating a median lane through the passage.

The United States has pressed Tehran to issue a public statement confirming the strait remains open to shipping and to direct vessels along a southern route near the Omani coast.

A U.S. official said Friday that Iran must pledge not to fire on additional ships. Iran's ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, warned that continued U.S. violations of a memorandum of understanding reached last month would free Iran from its obligations under the agreement.

The United States conducted strikes against more than 80 targets in Iran on July 8 and another 90 targets on July 9, according to the New York Post. Iran's Health Ministry reported 17 deaths and 115 injuries from the strikes. Marine Traffic data showed 30 vessels transited the strait on July 8, 22 on July 9, and as few as 14 on Friday.

Most ships on Friday stayed close to the Iranian shore, with only one using the Omani coastal route.