Iran and Oman have reached an agreement on the geographic route for commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iran’s Foreign Ministry, amid conflicting statements over the role of the United States in ongoing negotiations to reopen the strategic waterway.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the two countries had agreed on the coordinates of a proposed shipping route and were preparing a joint statement covering technical, legal, security and environmental aspects of the arrangement.
Baghaei said the agreement was reached between Iran and Oman without US involvement, referring to Washington as a “third party.” He added that if no external parties obstruct the process, the joint statement would soon be finalized.
Iranian officials said the proposed arrangement includes a “middle corridor” through the Strait of Hormuz that would be managed by Iran and Oman. Tehran has also maintained that reopening the waterway depends on the United States ending what it described as a naval blockade and other actions against Iran.
A major point of disagreement remains Iran’s demand for control over aspects of navigation and possible service charges for vessels passing through the strait. The United States and Gulf countries have insisted that the waterway must remain open to free international navigation in line with international maritime law.
Iranian state media reported that the agreement would not automatically lead to the immediate reopening of the strait, citing what Tehran called US violations. Officials stressed that the Iran-Oman discussions were separate from US involvement.
However, US President Donald Trump said Washington was part of the negotiations with Iran and that talks over the Strait of Hormuz were “moving along very nicely.” He said the waterway would reopen soon or Iran would face further consequences.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy routes, carrying a significant share of global oil and gas shipments. The waterway was effectively closed by Iran following US and Israeli strikes earlier this year, triggering concerns over energy supplies and global markets.
The developments come after weeks of diplomatic efforts involving Iran, Oman and the United States aimed at restoring safe maritime traffic through the strategic chokepoint.
