Hassan Ghashghavi, spokesperson for the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, stated that the Islamic Republic rejects the U.S.-proposed southern corridor in the Strait of Hormuz and has formally notified Oman of its opposition. He emphasized that maritime conditions in the strategic waterway “will absolutely not return to the pre-war status quo.”
Speaking to Mizan News Agency, Ghashghavi said the United States has sought to impose a southern corridor through the Strait of Hormuz using “pressure and threats,” describing the move as a violation of Clause 5 of the “14-Point Islamabad Agreement.”
According to the committee spokesperson, the U.S.-proposed corridor fails to protect Iran’s national interests and security. He added that Tehran, while rejecting the plan, has submitted its own proposal for managing maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz to Omani officials.
Ghashghavi clarified that talks between Tehran and Muscat regarding the Strait of Hormuz are strictly bilateral and do not involve the U.S. or any third countries. Consultations are scheduled to continue in both Tehran and Muscat.
He noted that several regional nations believe an Iran-Oman agreement on the strait could pave the way for the implementation of other clauses of the Islamabad Agreement, though he stressed that any progress depends on the outcome of upcoming talks.
The parliamentary spokesperson also announced that a preliminary meeting had been attended by representatives of the armed forces, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the judiciary, and executive agencies. These bodies are expected to submit written assessments regarding the management of the Strait of Hormuz to Parliament.
According to Ghashghavi, the National Security Committee approved a bill on the matter last month. Additional proposals will be reviewed at next week’s session before a finalized draft is submitted to the floor.
He claimed that international maritime conventions grant coastal states the legal authority to regulate transit through the strait to ensure national security. Ghashghavi asserted that the Islamic Republic will enforce “new arrangements” in the Strait of Hormuz and reiterated that conditions “will absolutely not” revert to what they were before the war.
Concurrently, the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), quoting an informed source, reported that a potential agreement between Iran and Oman concerning vessel transit arrangements does not imply the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
The source described the negotiations as exclusively between Iran and Oman, warning that, in the event of continued “U.S. violations,” the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed even if Tehran and Muscat reach an agreement. Reopening the waterway, the source noted, remains conditional on a change in U.S. behavior.
Iranian officials maintain that only Iran and Oman, as the littoral states of the Strait of Hormuz, have the right to determine its operational management. However, the Islamic Republic has repeatedly targeted commercial vessels attempting to transit via Omani coastal routes with Muscat’s authorization.
These statements coincide with announcements from the Trump administration indicating that an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz could be finalized by Wednesday, August 5.
President Trump warned that Iran would face “heavy blows” if the Islamic Republic refused to enter into an agreement.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent previously told CNBC that an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and move toward normalized maritime traffic might be reached around August 4 or 5.