Iran, Oman reach deal on Strait of Hormuz shipping routes
Iran and Oman have reached an agreement on a proposed shipping route map for the strategically important Strait of Hormuz following weeks of technical negotiations, Iranian officials said on Saturday.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the two countries had made significant progress in talks aimed at establishing safer navigation routes through the waterway. The negotiations began around three months ago under an agreement signed in June.
Baghaei said the proposed route was developed through coordination between Iran’s foreign ministry and its defence, security and environmental authorities. He added that Tehran and Muscat were still discussing some remaining issues, including the wording of a joint statement.
The spokesman stressed that the arrangement was a bilateral agreement between Iran and Oman and was intended to facilitate the safe movement of commercial vessels while respecting the sovereignty of both countries.
However, Tehran has made clear that the full restoration of normal shipping through the Strait of Hormuz depends on broader developments involving the United States.
Baghaei said Iran wanted an end to what it described as US military threats, naval restrictions and violations of previous commitments before normal commercial traffic could fully resume.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi separately said negotiations with Oman over the waterway were continuing. He described the discussions as separate from the wider diplomatic dispute between Tehran and Washington.
Araghchi also rejected the description of an earlier agreement as a simple 60-day ceasefire. He said the understanding was aimed at ending the war, while the 60-day period was intended for negotiations toward a final settlement.
He said Qatar and Pakistan were continuing to exchange messages with Iran but stressed that Tehran had not yet decided to resume direct negotiations with Washington.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi also rejected claims that the United States could take control of the Strait of Hormuz. He said Iran remained in charge of decisions concerning the waterway and dismissed statements suggesting that the strait could become US territory.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy corridors, connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman. A prolonged disruption to shipping through the waterway has raised concerns over global energy supplies and fuel prices.
The latest developments come amid continuing tensions between Iran, the United States and Israel. Shipping through the strait remains significantly below normal levels, while diplomatic efforts to end the wider conflict have yet to produce a lasting settlement.
US President Donald Trump has meanwhile urged Americans to accept higher fuel prices while the conflict continues, arguing that confronting Iran was necessary to prevent it from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
The dispute has already pushed global oil prices higher, while rising fuel costs in the United States have added to inflationary pressures.
