Iran FM in Oman for Strait Talks as New Supreme Leader Vows Revenge
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Muscat, Oman on Saturday for high-stakes negotiations over the administration and security of the Strait of Hormuz, as Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei issued a fiery vow of revenge against the United States and Israel for the killing of his father. The diplomatic push comes against the backdrop of a Saturday deadline set by the Trump administration for Iran to publicly renounce attacks on commercial shipping in the strategic waterway.
Context: From War to Fragile Peace
The talks in Oman are the latest development in a tumultuous period that began on February 28, 2026, when joint US-Israeli airstrikes killed former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran, triggering a devastating four-month war. The conflict ended with the signing of the 14-point Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding on June 18, brokered by Qatar, Pakistan, and Oman.
Under Article 5 of the MoU, Iran is tasked with establishing normal operational arrangements for the safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz in coordination with Oman. A final comprehensive deal is to be negotiated within 60 days, by mid-August 2026.
The Diplomatic Track
Araghchi’s visit follows several rounds of technical meetings held in both Tehran and Muscat over the past two months, according to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei. Speaking to Tasnim News Agency, Baghaei stated that Iran remains “firmly committed” to fulfilling its obligations under the MoU, noting that the discussions focus on “establishing appropriate mechanisms for the safe transit of ships through the Strait of Hormuz.”
A high-level US delegation, including Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner, is also expected in Muscat, raising the possibility of proximity talks between the two sides, as reported by Fox News.
The US Deadline and Military Posture
The diplomatic efforts are unfolding under immense pressure. The Trump administration has given Iran until Saturday to publicly commit to ending attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, according to an Axios report cited by Fox News. One US official warned that if Iran does not make a public commitment, “it is not gonna be a great day for them.”
President Trump further escalated tensions on Friday, posting on Truth Social that “1000 Missiles are Locked and Loaded and aimed at the Islamic Republic of Iran” should Tehran attempt to assassinate the US president. The warning came after the US launched retaliatory strikes on approximately 90 Iranian targets on July 8-9, following Iranian attacks on commercial tankers in the strait on July 6-7.
Internal Divisions in Tehran
A significant subtext to the negotiations is the apparent division within Iran’s power structure. US officials told CBS News that Iranian officials privately blamed the recent attacks on commercial vessels on a “rogue faction” of hardliners within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). This internal explanation contrasts sharply with the public posture of the new Supreme Leader.
Khamenei’s Revenge Vow
Mojtaba Khamenei, who succeeded his father as Supreme Leader, posted a series of messages on X on Saturday vowing retribution. “We pledge to avenge your pure blood and the blood of all the martyrs of these two [recent] wars by taking revenge against the criminal, disgraceful murderers,” he wrote, according to Fox News. “The criminal, disgraceful murderers of the martyred Leader, whose names are fully documented from the highest to the lowest ranks, will carry their dream of a peaceful death in bed to the grave.”
The new leader’s hardline rhetoric stands in tension with the diplomatic track being pursued by the Foreign Ministry, underscoring the complex internal dynamics at play.
Iran’s New Strait of Hormuz Doctrine
Iran appears to be shifting its strategy from threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz to positioning itself as its administrator. Press TV has described an “end of tit-for-tat era,” with Iran seeking to charge “maritime service fees” for vessels transiting the waterway — a plan that Oman has reportedly backed. Approximately 20% of the world’s oil and LNG passes through the 54-kilometer wide chokepoint, giving Iran significant leverage.
Analysis: A Delicate Balancing Act
The dual-track diplomacy unfolding in Muscat represents a critical test for the fragile peace established by the Islamabad MoU. On one track, Iran and Oman are negotiating the technical administration of the strait. On the other, the US and Iran are engaging indirectly through Omani, Qatari, and Pakistani mediation.
The simultaneous presence of both Iranian and American delegations in the Omani capital creates potential for direct or proximity talks, though the gap between the two sides remains wide. The US insists the Strait of Hormuz is an international waterway that should remain toll-free, while Iran views control over the strait as its primary source of leverage in negotiations.
What to Watch For
The coming hours and days will be decisive. Key questions include whether Iran will meet the US Saturday deadline with a public commitment, whether the new Supreme Leader’s revenge rhetoric will translate into action that undermines the diplomatic track, and whether the 60-day window for a final deal can be preserved.
The Guardian has noted that negotiations toward a final deal were intended to begin after the conclusion of Khamenei’s seven-day funeral, which ended on July 9. With the funeral period now over, all eyes are on Muscat to see whether diplomacy can prevail over escalation.