"Rubio Meets Paraguay FM, Says Hormuz Talks Ongoing With Iran And Oman"

THE REPORT

WASHINGTON:US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday that there had been "progress" in negotiations with Iran and Oman over the Strait of Hormuz, but stressed that there was "not finality yet."Rubio made the remarks while welcoming Paraguayan Foreign Minister Rubén Ramírez Lezcano to the State Department for the signing of a memorandum of understanding on nuclear cooperation.

HORMUZ TALKS: WHERE THINGS STAND:

Rubio said Washington and Tehran have signed a preliminary agreement to halt conflict and concluded a first round of talks in Switzerland. This opened a 60 day negotiation period covering sanctions relief, Iran's nuclear programme and the future of Hormuz. Iran and Oman said in a joint statement that they would study the administration of the trade route and costs for services, while insisting on their sovereignty over the strait. However, Rubio reiterated the US position that "It's an international waterway. No country is allowed to charge tolls or fees on an international waterway". He warned that accepting tolls would "spread throughout the world like a contagion". Oman has told Gulf ministers that future arrangements for the Strait of Hormuz would not involve transit fees.

BROADER CONTEXT:

The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial corridor for global oil and gas shipments. Maritime traffic was choked earlier during the conflict, sending oil prices surging, but crossings have begun rising since the preliminary deal. Rubio is on a Gulf tour to "make sure that their views are taken into account"in US negotiations with Iran. He told Gulf allies that Washington was seeking an enduring peace with Iran that "would not come at the expense of the security of allies"

OTHER DIPLOMACY:

Alongside the Hormuz discussions, Rubio hosted Paraguayan FM Rubén Ramírez Lezcano at the State Department to sign an MoU on nuclear cooperation between the US and Paraguay.

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