Iran says Hormuz talks with Oman are ‘positive’

• Iran says talks with Oman on establishing a navigation route through the Strait of Hormuz are "constructive and positive."
• Tehran says it is not currently negotiating directly with Washington and is exchanging messages through intermediaries.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Monday that talks with Oman are focused on determining a temporary navigation route through the Strait of Hormuz.

Baghaei described the discussions as "constructive and positive," saying Tehran and Muscat have agreed on a navigation map and are working through several technical issues.

He said the proposed route would temporarily replace the northern and southern routes currently used in the strait.

Baghaei described the southern route as "illegal and unsafe" and said it violates the memorandum of understanding between the parties.

Baghaei said Iran is not currently holding direct negotiations with Washington, but is exchanging messages with the US through intermediaries.

He said Tehran is not discussing the possibility of imposing fees on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz at this stage.

However, he said Iran would establish mechanisms to monitor maritime traffic and provide navigation services, adding that charging fees for such services would be "natural."

Baghaei also said the Strait of Hormuz would not be a safe passage as long as what he described as US policy and the naval blockade continue.

On mine clearance, Baghaei said the issue is being handled between Iran and Oman as the two countries bordering the Strait of Hormuz.

He described the US naval blockade as a continuation of the war against Iran.

Separately, Baghaei said Pakistan has invited Iran's parliamentary speaker and foreign minister to visit the country, adding that the visits would take place under appropriate circumstances.