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Iran announced that it has finalized an agreement with Oman regarding a shipping corridor through the Strait of Hormuz, according to a statement from the Iranian Foreign Ministry. A ministry spokesman confirmed the deal was nearing completion but withheld specific details about the arrangement. The agreement reportedly includes predetermined geographical coordinates for the route, though the spokesman emphasized that this accord alone would not ensure secure passage through the strategic waterway.
Iranian officials indicated concerns about the broader security situation in the region, citing the ongoing US naval blockade of Iranian ports as a continuing threat to maritime safety. A deputy foreign minister suggested the proposed route would be temporary, potentially remaining operational for two to four months. The arrangement comes amid ongoing disputes over transit fees, with Iran seeking charges between 5-7% of cargo prices, Oman proposing approximately 3%, and the United States opposing any fees whatsoever.
The Strait of Hormuz handles roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supplies. Traffic through the waterway has been severely disrupted since February’s military escalation between Iran and the United States, which led Tehran to restrict passage. Oil markets responded modestly to the news, with global crude prices declining slightly in Asian trading.
Neither the United States nor Oman has officially commented on the proposal. Previous diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran, including a June agreement aimed at reopening the strait, have stalled with both sides resuming hostile actions.
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