Middle EastLiveIran keeps Hormuz closed despite Oman deal; Trump warns of military response

In practice, the latest developments point to a delicate balance between de-escalation and continued confrontation in the Middle East.

Key points

• Iran's new temporary maritime route through the Strait of Hormuz will allow commercial vessels to pass but exclude military ships, Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi remarked.
• 'Forgot your own script': Iran's Ghalibaf targets US treasury secretary over 'Economic D-Day' sanctions.
• US Iran war: Trump warns Iran against laying new mines in Strait of Hormuz.
• Iran war: Iran notes Strait of Hormuz remains closed despite temporary Oman route.
• While the exit route will pass through Omani territorial waters, under the temporary arrangement, ships entering the Persian Gulf will employ Iranian waters.

07: 35 (IST) Aug 26.

Iran's parliamentary speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf targeted US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent over Washington's latest sanctions campaign against Iran, highlighting the concept of "Economic D-Day" applied by the US administration.

In a post on X on Tuesday, Ghalibaf singled out Bessent and remarked, "Him: 'Economic D-Day.' Also him, five seconds later: ' why would I want to blow up the global financial system?' Sir this ain't Normandy, this is improv night and you forgot your own script."

Meanwhile, the remarks came after Bessent confirmed on Monday (local time) the launch of "Operation Economic Outcast" against Iran, saying the campaign was aimed at cutting Tehran off from international financial networks and restricting revenue streams that Washington states backing the Iranian administration. 07: 07 (IST) Aug 26.

While warning Iran against laying new mines in the strategic waterway, US President Donald Trump remarked the US Navy had informed him that all mines had been removed or detonated from international waters in the Strait of Hormuz.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump remarked Iran had been notified that any vessel involved in placing new mines in international waters would be "immediately and systematically destroyed".

Trump's warning came as his administration continued to growth economic and military pressure on Tehran against the backdrop of tensions over the Strait and stalled diplomatic efforts. 07: 07 (IST) Aug 26.

Iran war: Iran notes armed forces leading Strait of Hormuz route negotiations.

Iran's armed forces are playing a leading role in determining the new maritime routes through the Strait of Hormuz, with the foreign ministry, ports authorities, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and military authorities involved in negotiations with Oman, deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi stated.

"The negotiations we are having are actually being held in the form of a joint working group in which the ministry of foreign affairs, the Ports and Maritime Organisation, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including the Navy and its deputy headquarters, as well as the General Staff of the Armed Forces are present, " he remarked.

Gharibabadi remarked the military had provided the proposals discussed with Oman and that all relevant agencies backed them. "The main guidance regarding the routes actually lies with military friends and the armed forces complex, and the General Staff of the Armed Forces and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy are at the forefront of it, " he remarked.

He continued that determining specific shipping routes was a technical matter handled by the armed forces rather than the foreign ministry. 07: 05 (IST) Aug 26.

US Iran war: Iran-Oman route to allow commercial vessels but bar military ships.

"According to the memorandum of understanding, no military vessels will be allowed to pass through, and only commercial vessels will be allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, " Gharibabadi remarked, according to ISNA.

He remarked the arrangement was part of a broader effort to redesign maritime traffic routes, with Iran seeking changes after what he described as decades of damage caused by ships using Omani waters. 07: 04 (IST) Aug 26.

Iran's deputy foreign minister for legal and international affairs Kazem Gharibabadi remarked the temporary maritime route agreed with Oman does not amount to reopening the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that "militarily, the Strait of Hormuz is closed".

Speaking on Iranian television on Tuesday night, Gharibabadi remarked, "The understanding between Iran and Oman does not mean the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, " adding that "the Strait of Hormuz will not open tomorrow."

While the exit route will pass through Omani territorial waters, under the temporary arrangement, ships entering the Persian Gulf will employ Iranian waters. Gharibabadi remarked both routes would involve Iranian waters and form a round-trip corridor concerning seven miles wide.

He remarked the arrangement would remain in place temporarily, with Iran and Oman anticipated to negotiate a permanent route within 30 to 60 days to replace the previous maritime traffic plan. 07: 03 (IST) Aug 26.

US Iran war: US begins returning personnel to Middle East missions as Iran tensions ease.

Notably, the United States has begun sending personnel back to some diplomatic missions in the Middle East that were evacuated or downsized against the backdrop of tensions with Iran, suggesting Washington sees a lower risk of the conflict escalating in the near term, two residents familiar with the matter informed Reuters.

Some embassies will initially operate below full capacity as the US gradually restores its diplomatic presence in the region.

Although it remarked penalties would not be imposed immediately, the move comes after Washington earlier this week threatened to punish countries that continue doing business with Iran as part of efforts to pressure Tehran's economy.

Oil rates fell for a second consecutive day as traders played down the impact of the US sanctions. Iran denounced Washington's efforts to isolate its economy as an act of "gross lawlessness" and expressed confidence that plenty of countries would refuse to join the pressure campaign.

While President Donald Trump's popularity was additionally at a record low ahead of November's congressional elections, meanwhile, Reuters/Ipsos polling indicated US public approval of the war had fallen to its lowest level since the early days of the conflict.

Thousands of individuals have been killed in the conflict, most of them in Iran and Lebanon. While the exact state of its nuclear programme remains unclear, the US and Israel have degraded much of Iran's conventional military capability.

Taken together, the developments around middle EastLiveIran keeps Hormuz closed despite Oman deal; Trump warns of military point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.