Iran-Oman Hormuz Route Deal Nears as US Demands Free Passage

Iran and Oman have reached agreement on shipping coordinates through the Strait of Hormuz and are finalizing a joint statement to manage traffic in the vital waterway, according to Iranian officials. The developments come as President Trump claimed an announcement could arrive within days, even as Tehran stressed that any reopening remains conditional on Washington lifting its naval blockade of Iranian ports.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei told state media that talks with Oman are advancing and that the two countries have settled on route coordinates. He said a joint statement outlining the main points of agreement is in the final drafting stage, provided no third parties interfere. Iranian sources described the focus as technical arrangements for managing shipping rather than any broader political concessions.

The strait, which carries roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies in normal times, was closed by Iran after US and Israeli strikes began at the end of February. The closure triggered sharp rises in energy prices and widespread disruption to global markets. Negotiations to restore passage have run parallel to efforts to revive a June ceasefire understanding between Washington and Tehran.

US officials have portrayed the talks as evidence of Iranian eagerness for a deal, yet Iranian statements have consistently tied progress to an end to American naval operations off its coast. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said the United States appears ready to return to prior commitments, though he provided no details. A Gulf official indicated that members of the Gulf Cooperation Council have endorsed the emerging framework.

Eight major international shipping associations wrote to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres this week warning that any compulsory charges or toll-like fees would violate established maritime law and raise energy costs worldwide. The groups urged the International Maritime Organization to reject such measures, arguing they would set a dangerous precedent for other international straits. Iranian sources have said the current draft includes no fees for transit.

The United States has expended nearly its entire global stockpile of long-range precision missiles during the conflict, according to two people with direct knowledge of the matter. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has downplayed concerns about shortages. Fresh security incidents near the strait have continued to underscore the risks to commercial vessels while the blockade remains in place.

Iranian officials have rejected suggestions that Tehran is negotiating directly with Washington at present, insisting arrangements are being handled bilaterally with Oman. They have also noted that even an Iran-Oman understanding would not automatically make the waterway safe for all traffic so long as US naval forces maintain their current posture.

The coming days will determine whether the technical progress between Iran and Oman can translate into a broader easing of tensions or whether the American blockade continues to block any practical reopening.