Iran and Oman are close to finalizing an agreement on a new shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iranian officials. The deal, which would allow ships to transit the strategic waterway, is expected to be completed if "certain third parties" do not interfere, said an Iranian foreign ministry spokesman. The route would pass through Iran’s territorial waters, as stated by Iran’s deputy foreign minister, highlighting Tehran’s control over the passage.
The agreement, which includes shared management of the strait, aims to ease global shipping pressures and reduce tensions in the region. However, the Iranian ministry warned that the deal alone would not guarantee security in the waterway. Oman and Iran have reached an understanding on the coordinates of the route, but key issues remain unresolved. The U.S. remains a key obstacle to the deal, as Washington has not yet lifted sanctions on Iran, which could affect the agreement’s implementation.
The potential reopening of Hormuz could have significant economic implications, as the strait is a vital route for global oil trade. U.S. President Donald Trump previously suggested the deal could be finalized as early as Wednesday, though no official timeline has been confirmed. The agreement, if realized, would mark a major shift in regional dynamics and international trade logistics.
