Daijiworld Media Network - Doha

Doha, Aug 18: Qatar said on Tuesday that ongoing regional efforts are focused on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and returning to the US-Iran memorandum of understanding (MoU), as tensions in the region continue.

Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al Ansari said the latest escalation included “the violation of the ceasefire and the tensions at the Strait of Hormuz”.

Speaking at a weekly media briefing, Ansari said efforts were focused on ensuring a return to the commitments outlined in the MoU.

He said Qatar was still awaiting an agreement between Oman and Iran regarding the Strait of Hormuz, which he said would help pave the way for a return to negotiations, Xinhua News Agency reported.

“The only way to move forward is a ceasefire, the opening of the Strait of Hormuz and going back to normal or freedom of navigation and going back to the negotiations,” Ansari said.

Iran and Oman have been holding talks in recent months over arrangements for navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday that Iran and Oman had agreed on a map for a new route for maritime traffic through the strategic waterway.

Speaking at a weekly press conference in Tehran, Baghaei outlined the latest progress in negotiations between the two countries on establishing a safe route for vessels passing through the strait.

Baghaei said Iran and Oman were expected to finalise the agreement as a package comprising the map and a joint statement, Xinhua News Agency reported.

He attributed the delay in finalising the arrangement to the complexity of the issue, the “number of the players” seeking to influence the process and “attempts by certain malicious parties”.

Baghaei said Tehran and Muscat were continuing the talks seriously and exchanging views on the text of the joint statement.

He added that both sides wanted to develop a mechanism capable of safeguarding their interests, addressing their concerns and taking into account considerations related to international shipping.