Iran-Oman Strait of Hormuz Deal Nears Final Stage
The Iran-Oman Strait of Hormuz deal is nearing its final stage as Tehran and Muscat negotiate a new Hormuz transit route. Iranian officials say the proposal aims to support vessel passage while preserving both countries’ sovereignty, security and maritime control.
Iran-Oman Negotiations Enter Final Stage
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has said negotiations with Oman over arrangements connected to the Strait of Hormuz are approaching completion. Araghchi briefed Iran’s cabinet on the latest developments, describing the discussions between Tehran and Muscat as being in their final stages.
The talks form part of wider regional efforts to restore reliable navigation through one of the world’s most important energy corridors. Oman has maintained diplomatic contact with Iran throughout the crisis and has repeatedly called for dialogue, restraint and cooperation to protect freedom of navigation. Official Omani statements have confirmed continuing discussions with Tehran on options for the smooth passage of vessels through the strait.
New Hormuz Transit Route Under Discussion
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the negotiations focus on identifying a new transit route acceptable to both Iran and Oman. He stressed that the discussions should not be interpreted simply as an agreement to open or close the Strait of Hormuz.
According to Baghaei, Tehran no longer considers a return to the pre-war navigation system acceptable. The proposed route would reportedly differ from both the established northern and southern passages and would seek to safeguard Iran’s security interests while respecting Omani sovereign rights.
Iran has previously proposed a temporary mechanism in which traffic travelling in both directions would partly use waters under Iranian control. Tehran argues that any new arrangement must provide it with stronger oversight of commercial movements near its coastline.
Iran Rejects Regional Hormuz Management
The latest negotiations follow Iran’s rejection of an earlier Omani-backed proposal for regional management of the strait. That plan reportedly included joint supervision by regional states and voluntary payments from shipping companies using the waterway.
Iranian officials opposed the proposal, arguing that Iran and Oman should manage navigation only within their respective territorial areas. Tehran has also rejected any role for outside governments, international groups or third-party security organisations in controlling the strait.
Baghaei said the transit mechanism remains a bilateral matter between Tehran and Muscat. This position reflects Iran’s broader insistence that maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz must respect the authority of the two coastal states rather than rely on an international management structure.
US-Iran Diplomacy Gains Momentum
The Iran-Oman talks gained urgency after US President Donald Trump said he had stopped a planned military strike on Iran to allow more time for diplomacy. Trump said regional leaders had encouraged Washington to avoid escalation while negotiators worked toward an understanding involving navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and other security issues.
Iranian officials have treated US claims about an imminent wider agreement cautiously. Tehran maintains that the shipping negotiations with Oman are separate from broader discussions involving Washington and that no foreign power will determine Iran’s maritime security policy.
The emerging arrangement could reduce pressure on global energy markets if it restores predictable commercial passage. Before the conflict, the Strait of Hormuz carried roughly one-fifth of the world’s traded oil and liquefied natural gas, making any disruption a major risk to fuel prices, shipping costs and international supply chains.
