West Asia Conflict / Iran, Oman Close to Finalising Strait of Hormuz Shipping Deal

Tehran, Aug 6: Iran and Oman are nearing completion of a pivotal shipping accord that would streamline navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

Under the proposed arrangement, the existing temporary northern and southern routes will be discontinued and replaced with a single channel running through Iran’s territorial waters.

This new passage is expected to operate on a provisional basis for a duration of two to four months, marking a significant shift in maritime traffic management across one of the world’s most strategic waterways.

Also read: Trump Announces Iran Talks to Begin Monday After Halting Planned Strikes

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi told the official IRNA news agency that the two sides had reached consensus on nearly all issues, including entry and exit route maps, after more than three weeks of consultations. He stressed that the deal would not mean a full reopening of the strait.

Rejecting US claims of direct negotiations, Gharibabadi said Tehran had only received messages from Washington expressing readiness to return to commitments under a peace memorandum signed in June. He added that progress depended on tangible US implementation of its pledges.

An informed source told Fars news agency that reopening the strait hinged on Washington’s actions, noting that the US Treasury’s removal of sanctions on an Iraqi airline was unrelated to the Iran-US MoU.

Iran tightened control over the Strait of Hormuz on February 28, blocking vessels linked to Israel and the United States after joint strikes on Iranian territory. The US military responded with waves of strikes against Iranian targets, claiming they were aimed at curbing threats to commercial shipping.

Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks on US bases in the region, escalating tensions in one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints. The potential Iran-Oman deal, if concluded, could temporarily ease shipping disruptions while broader geopolitical disputes remain unresolved.

(IANS)