Esmail Baghaei, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said Iran is currently discussing the details of possible transit fees over the Strait of Hormuz in its negotiations with Oman over a new route for shipping, whilst emphasising that discussions on the broader maritime mechanisms are ongoing.During a press briefing, Baghaei was questioned whether Iran discussed the issue of raising transit fees in its negotiations with Oman and if the amount were to be distributed amongst the nations states or solely allocated to Iran. We are not discussing such details at this stage, Baghaei responded.He said that the negotiations between the countries were ongoing and reemphasised that the two sides had reached an agreement on the traffic map for the proposed route.Read more: New Hormuz security mechanisms developed with Oman: Iran's Foreign Ministry, says US violations block safe waterway I had previously said that an understanding has been reached regarding the traffic map. Regarding the joint statement, there are still some technical points that are being discussed, but the negotiations are taking place in a very smooth and constructive manner, said Baghaei.The spokesperson said that the two sides were reviewing mechanisms concerning safe passage of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, environmental issues, maritime services and combating crime. We are not discussing these details right now. What is clear is that mechanisms will be established that, in addition to monitoring the safe passage of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, will provide the necessary measures on issues related to the environment, cooperation in providing maritime services, and combating crime, he said.Read more: Iran appoints former Revolutionary Guards chief Mohsen Rezaei as top national security official Baghaei further said that compensation for maritime services would be naturally expected whilst the two parties were discussing the practical arrangements for shipping.He said, As a rule, when you provide maritime services, you should definitely receive compensation for it. Baghaei meanwhile distinguished the bilateral talks with Oman with the wider military situation involving the United States as a response to a question that asks what Iran considers necessary for the Strait of Hormuz to be fully opened and for the naval blockade to end.He added that US and Israeli military aggression against Iran and the use of bases along the southern Persian Gulf coast was the cause of the Strait’s closure. The reason for the closure of the Strait of Hormuz was the military aggression of the United States and the Zionist regime [Israel] against Iran and the misuse of the Strait of Hormuz and the use of bases located on the southern coast of the Persian Gulf to attack Iran, Baghaei said.Baghaei said that negotiations with Oman were focused on establishing a safe shipping route, whilst emphasising the full opening of the Strait on the broader military situation. The opening of the Strait of Hormuz is subject to the fulfilment of the conditions that have been imposed on the Islamic Republic of Iran, this waterway, and the entire region due to the military aggression of the United States and the Zionist regime, he said.The foreign spokesperson emphasised that Iran considers itself to be in a state of war. Keep in mind that we are still at war, he said.Baghaei said that the Strait would be considered a safe waterway by Iran whilst what it describes as a US naval blockade and other violations continue. He adds that the finalisation of the agreement with Oman would not be sufficient for the complete reopening of the Strait. As long as the US naval blockade continues, according to UN General Assembly Resolution 3314, such a naval blockade is an act of aggression, the spokesperson said. As long as other US violations continue, the necessary conditions will not exist to say that the Strait of Hormuz has become a safe waterway, he added.Iran's parliamentary commission for National Security and Foreign Policy passed the broad framework of a strategic initiative aimed at bolstering regional security and sustainable development in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday.Press TV reports that the commission spokesman Hassan Qashqavi said that lawmakers reviewed the draft proposal alongside delegates from pertinent government organisations and institutions.
