Iran, Oman discuss creation of single waterway in Strait of Hormuz

Al Jazeera reported that Iran said that talks are underway with Oman to create a temporary single waterway in the Strait of Hormuz, but there are no direct talks with the United States on this matter. Yesterday, Monday (August 3), the Iranian Foreign Ministry said that talks are underway to create a temporary route by combining the separate waterways of Iran and Oman for navigation until a permanent agreement is reached.
The report said that the establishment of a single, albeit temporary, waterway in the Strait of Hormuz could be the first step in building mutual trust between Iran and the United States. However, Iranian officials have made it clear that they are not currently in any direct talks with the United States on the Strait of Hormuz.
Meanwhile, several countries, including Qatar and Pakistan, are trying to mediate behind the scenes. This indicates that despite a strong military position, the channels of diplomatic communication are still open. On the other hand, despite the ongoing diplomatic activities, Iran says that its military deterrence remains the same as before. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has announced that it is ready to respond to any threat. Meanwhile, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) has said that US forces are fully prepared to ensure the safety of commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.