Iranian diplomats pursue transit mechanism with Oman as negotiators arrive in Qatar for peace talks.

On Monday, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed that 32 vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz in the last 24 hours after obtaining Iranian authorization.

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The Tasnim news agency indicated that five of the 32 vessels were supertankers, which crossed the strategic maritime passage with priority.

Since May 20, 182 vessels have managed to cross the strait with authorization from the Iranian Navy, which has maintained a partial blockade of the passage since the start of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran on Feb. 28.

The IRGC did not report under which flags the vessels were sailing. Iranian state television, however, reported that most of the vessels were linked to Southeast Asian countries that “maintain friendly relations” with Tehran.

The partial closure of the strategic strait, through which 20% of the world’s oil passed before the war, has increased fuel prices amid negotiations for its reopening.

On Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Baghaei said Iran and Oman would establish a mechanism to “guarantee safe transit,” a service that would require payment, although he insisted that these would not be tolls.

Meanwhile, Iranian chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Qatar to discuss the peace agreement with the United States.

The state-run IRNA news agency said the trip is intended to hold consultations with senior Qatari officials “on some aspects related to negotiations to end the war.”

Iranian Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati also traveled to Qatar, where part of the Iranian funds frozen by the United States are located and which Tehran is claiming as part of negotiations with Washington.

teleSUR/ JF

Sources: EFE – IRNA

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