Key facts
- Iran and Oman have agreed on coordinates for a shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz.
- Finalization of the deal is pending a joint statement, with Iran citing potential obstruction by third parties.
- The agreement aims to ensure safe passage while respecting the sovereignty of both nations.
- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei stated the deal does not automatically guarantee the waterway's security or reopening.
- The deal could grant Iran partial control over ships entering the Gulf via the strait.
Iran and Oman have reached an agreement on geographic coordinates for a shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway that links the Gulf to the Gulf of Oman. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei reported positive progress after weeks of technical negotiations, stating that a deal is on the verge of finalization, pending a joint statement.
Baghaei indicated that the arrangement is an independent agreement aimed at ensuring the safe passage of ships while respecting the sovereignty of both countries. However, he also noted that outstanding issues are still being negotiated and cautioned that third-party interference could obstruct the process. He further clarified that the bilateral agreement with Oman would not, by itself, guarantee security or the reopening of the strait.
Reports suggest the deal could grant Iran partial control over ships entering the Gulf through the strait. This development comes amid broader discussions about a potential ceasefire and peace agreement between the US and Iran. While US President Donald Trump has indicated an announcement on a separate US-Iran peace deal might be imminent, sources close to the negotiations suggest important details still need to be agreed upon, and that the Iran-Oman deal does not automatically mean the waterway is safe for transit.
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital chokepoint for global energy supplies, with approximately one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) passing through it in peacetime. Its closure or disruption has historically led to significant volatility in global energy markets.