Hormuz routes and Iran talks Weber reports from Iran

Date unknown

Interviewed from Bandar Abbas, Benjamin Weber describes ships waiting on the Iranian side of Hormuz and tankers using an Oman-coast route under U.S. escort. He distinguishes reports of near-prewar oil exports from Iranian oil, which remains excluded under the U.S. port blockade, and attributes increased recent tanker attacks to Iran. On negotiations he recounts demands to end hostilities, lift sanctions and release frozen assets, says these were agreed in June but not honored by the United States, and describes Iranian interest in a settlement alongside continuing mistrust. He reports an Iranian proposal and a U.S. reply through Qatar, an Iranian interior-minister visit there and Pezeshkian's criticism of threats. No accepted agreement is announced. His final answer describes uncertainty, hardship for fishermen and bazaar customers, fear of renewed fighting and continued repression, including reports of two executed January protesters.

Reporting from Bandar Abbas, Weber describes tankers traversing Hormuz along the Oman coast under U.S. escort while many ships wait on the Iranian side. He qualifies reports of near-prewar oil exports: Iranian oil is excluded and the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports continues. He attributes increased recent tanker attacks to Iran and says they make passage more dangerous. This is continuing protected passage under contested conditions, without a dated launch, universal reopening or independently settled export volume.