Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said Iran and Oman are nearing a final understanding on a commercial shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Telegram post on Wednesday.
Baqaei said the two countries have held talks over the past two months, examining the route's technical, legal, security and environmental aspects.
The spokesperson described the negotiations as professional and forward-looking. He said both sides have agreed on the route's geographical coordinates and are finalizing a joint statement, according to the post.
Baqaei said third parties could still derail the process. He added that the joint statement remains in its final review and drafting stage, according to the MFA.
The spokesperson said the Iran-Oman understanding alone would not ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz as he blamed the waterway's closure on US and Israeli military actions against Iran.
Baqaei said US naval activities and other actions continue to threaten Iran and its interests, adding that those factors still undermine security in the Strait of Hormuz, "especially the naval blockade and other aggressive and threatening actions against Iran and its interests, still exist."
He said Iran has no plans for the foreign minister or parliament speaker to visit Pakistan or Qatar later this week, but remains in contact with both countries as they seek to ease regional tensions.
Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not immediately reply to' request for comment.
Separately, the US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control on Wednesday lifted counterterrorism sanctions on Iraqi carrier Fly Baghdad, also known as Iraq Express, and two of its aircraft, which had been designated over alleged ties to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
OFAC also updated the listing for an individual previously tied to Fly Baghdad, Basheer Abdulkadhim Alwan Al-Shabbani, redesignating him as directly linked to the IRGC.