TEHRAN: Oman has described its negotiations with Iran on securing a shipping passage through the Strait of Hormuz as encouraging, while Iran has emphasized that any agreement would not result in an immediate reopening of the strategically important waterway.

Officials from both countries said on Saturday that the talks were advancing, although no timetable has been announced for a final agreement. Oman’s foreign ministry also cautioned against attacks on commercial vessels that could further disrupt maritime traffic.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the discussions had entered a final stage, but added that reopening the strait would depend on several additional conditions.

Iran has effectively restricted movement through the waterway, which normally carries roughly one-fifth of global oil and natural gas supplies, since military operations by the United States and Israel against Tehran began in February.

Recent discussions have focused on a proposal under which Iran and Oman would jointly manage a new shipping route through the strait in an effort to help restore commercial navigation.

However, Araghchi said a complete reopening would require other issues to be addressed, including compensation from the United States for what Tehran considers breaches of the ceasefire and negotiation framework agreed upon by both sides in June.

The Memorandum of Understanding was intended to stop hostilities and move forward talks aimed at ending the conflict, but it collapsed within days as diplomatic efforts stalled and retaliatory attacks resumed.

(Inputs from BBC)