United States President Donald Trump reiterated his firm stance against Iran acquiring nuclear weapons, as Tehran announced that it has reached an agreement with Oman over Strait of Hormuz transit route maps. The announcements came as the 60-day negotiating period to find a peace deal between the US and Iran was expiring, with no word of an extension and both sides seemingly as far apart as they were two months ago.
“The number one goal is, and always will be, that Iran cannot have, in any way, shape, or form, a nuclear weapon,” Trump posted on his social media platform, Truth Social.
Iran said that it has reached an agreement with Oman over transit routes in the Strait of Hormuz, which runs between the two countries, and the sides are now working to finalise details for a joint statement. Iran and Oman have been negotiating to finalise terms on how to manage the transit of ships through the Strait of Hormuz.
“An understanding has been reached regarding the map of the transit route. But we had planned, and still plan, to finalise the understanding in the form of a package: The map plus a joint statement.” Esmail Baghaei, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson, said on Monday.
He did not elaborate, but details that have previously emerged suggest the deal would reopen the strait with ships entering through a route close to Iran and exiting through a route close to Oman. Ships would transit without paying fees or tolls during the interim period.
The USS has sought an acceptable deal on opening the strait before ending its blockade of Iranian ports and it was not clear whether this would meet Washington’s expectations.