TEHRAN, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei on Tuesday described the ongoing talks between Iran and Oman as "positive" at both technical and political levels, with a focus on designating safe routes for vessels' passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
The negotiations are continuing, Baghaei told state-run IRIB TV, saying that Iran seeks to develop mechanisms with Oman to manage future shipping traffic through the strategic strait.
He said any new routes must safeguard the sovereign rights and national security of both Iran and Oman, adding that the final results will be announced after the talks' conclusion.
Meanwhile, state-run Press TV on Tuesday cited a senior Iranian official as saying that once operational, the new corridor will replace the existing northern and southern routes.
The official described the measure as defensive and "fully consistent with the rights of any sovereign state to protect its territorial waters from external threats."
Iran tightened its grip on the strait on Feb. 28, barring safe passage of vessels belonging to or affiliated with Israel and the United States following their joint strikes on Iranian territory.
The U.S. military launched multiple waves of strikes against Iranian targets last month, saying they were in response to Iranian attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and aimed at "degrading Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping." Iran responded with missile and drone attacks targeting U.S. military bases and facilities in the region. ■
