Iran and Oman's top diplomats, Abbas Araghchi and Badr al-Busaidi, met in Tehran to discuss a phased approach to managing ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. The discussions centered on establishing a "joint temporary navigational corridor" and initiating a joint project to clear mines from the waterway. This comes nearly six months after the US-Iran war began, leading to the strait's near-complete shutdown and significant disruption to global oil markets.
The proposed framework aims to provide a practical basis for moving forward, with technical negotiations slated to continue for a permanent shipping corridor, traffic management, and security services. Omani Foreign Minister al-Busaidi expressed hopes on X (formerly Twitter) for a swift announcement of the temporary corridor. The discussions also emphasized the importance of involving all Gulf coastal states to ensure any agreement respects international law and their sovereignty.
The Strait of Hormuz, normally a passage for about one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas exports, became a flashpoint early in the Middle East war. Its closure has significantly impacted global oil markets. A recent attack disabled an oil tanker off Oman's coast, highlighting the ongoing dangers. Iran maintains that a full reopening of the strait is contingent on the US lifting its naval blockade, removing oil sanctions, and unfreezing Iranian assets abroad, while the US reportedly has a zero-tolerance policy for mines in the area.
While this interim solution is being negotiated, the United States' stance remains a key factor. Reports indicate that US President Donald Trump had previously threatened military action against Oman if it interfered with American efforts to reopen the strait. It is unclear if the US will accept the emerging deal between Iran and Oman.
