Adds President Trump's threat to "bomb" Oman
President Donald Trump is threatening to bomb Oman if it "gets in the way" of negotiations between the US and Iran over the strait of Hormuz.
Trump made the threat to "bomb the [expletive] out of" Oman in an unaired interview with Fox News on Monday, on the same day as the expiration of a US-Iran ceasefire deal that fell apart more than a month ago. The White House subsequently confirmed the remarks, which were made in regards to talks between Oman and Iran over the future administration of the strait of Hormuz.
The US and Iran on 18 June signed a ceasefire agreement that included a 60-day deadline — expiring on Monday — to negotiate an end to the war, reach a deal on Iran's nuclear program and ensure safe passage of vessels through the strait of Hormuz. That negotiating window "is no longer relevant" following repeated US violations of the agreement, Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said on Monday.
The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was meant to kickstart a process under which Iran would allow shipping through the strait of Hormuz to return to pre-war levels within 30 days. But disagreements over control and administration of the strait caused the agreement to collapse by early July, as Iran began targeting ships transiting the strait and the US resumed targeting military sites in Iran.
"We did not even begin the talks, because just weeks after the MoU was signed, the US began violating it," Baghaei said. "So, talk of this 60 days is no longer relevant."
The daily tit-for-tat attacks have since wound down, though sporadic Iranian attacks on shipping in the region continue. Last week, Abu Dhabi's state-owned Adnoc reported attacks on several of its vessels as they transited the strait.
Negotiations between Tehran and Washington appear to have come to a standstill. The US last week threatened an indefinite naval blockade against Iran and is preparing to roll out additional sanctions this week.
Despite that negotiating deadlock, Baghaei said Iranian talks with Oman over the future administration of the strait of Hormuz continue and are making progress.
"The views are being exchanged, and both sides have shown, to this point, that they are determined to develop a mechanism to oversee and safeguard the interests of both sides, and also cater to the considerations of international shipping" through the strait, he said.
Baghaei said the mechanism will be finalized as part of a package, "a roadmap, alongside a joint statement" with Oman.
