Speaking after talks in Oman, Gharibabadi said Iran had proposed to Muscat an alternative northern navigation route close to its territorial waters, but no agreement had been reached.

He rejected reports that Iran had held negotiations with the United States in Oman, saying Tehran’s discussions were solely with Omani officials.

“Our last talks were with Oman. We have not had any negotiations with the US,” he said, adding that there had been no discussions resembling the reported lengthy talks between Iranian and American officials.

Gharibabadi also said no negotiations had taken place under the Pakistan-mediated Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding signed last month, accusing Washington of violating the agreement by resuming military operations and imposing a naval blockade.

According to the deputy foreign minister, the working groups envisaged under the memorandum were never established because of “repeated US violations, including actions related to Lebanon”.

He said Clause 5 of the memorandum required Iran to ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz free of charge for 60 days, but stressed that the provision did not apply to military vessels.

Gharibabadi said Iran had opened and cleared a new northern shipping route near its territorial waters and formally notified Oman, neighbouring countries and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

He accused the United States of pressuring Oman to keep the southern route open and alleged that US drones prevented commercial vessels from using the northern passage after Iranian naval forces directed them to do so.

“The US pushed for the southern route to undermine Iran’s effective control over the Strait of Hormuz,” he said.

The deputy foreign minister said Iran had documented 42 US violations of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding and claimed Washington had effectively nullified the agreement by resuming military operations and reinstating its naval blockade.

He reiterated that the Strait of Hormuz had become a matter of Iran’s national security and said Tehran would use all available capabilities to safeguard its interests.

“Iran will enforce its sovereignty over the strait at any cost,” he said.

Gharibabadi also ruled out Iran seeking fresh negotiations with the United States, saying Tehran would not be the first party to request talks following what he described as US “criminal actions.”

He said Iran’s diplomatic and military leadership remained fully coordinated, adding that all major foreign policy decisions during the conflict were taken in consultation with senior military commanders.

The deputy foreign minister also warned that some Gulf countries had allowed their territories to be used for US military operations against Iran, while stressing that Tehran had no intention of violating Oman’s sovereignty and remained committed to avoiding tensions with Muscat.

He maintained that Iran’s proposal to shift commercial shipping to the northern route was intended to safeguard maritime traffic while protecting the country’s security interests during the ongoing conflict.