Iran says talks with Oman on new Strait of Hormuz route are in final stages
Iran says negotiations with Oman over a new maritime route through the Strait of Hormuz are entering their final stages, in a development that could affect one of the world's most important oil shipping corridors. Tehran says the proposed route would be separate from existing channels and would be designed to protect the sovereign rights and security interests of both sides. The announcement comes as the waterway remains central to regional tensions and global energy flows.
Sponsored
Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, said in a post on Telegram that he had briefed the cabinet on talks with Muscat and described them as "on the way to being finalised". Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Iran and Oman were close to an understanding on a route acceptable to both sides, saying it would be neither the northern route nor the southern route. He said the arrangement should respect the sovereign rights of both countries and safeguard national interests and security.
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow passage bordered by the territorial waters of Iran and Oman, and it is normally used to ship about 20% of global oil consumption. Details of the proposed route were not immediately clear, and Iranian officials did not say when any agreement might be signed or implemented. Baghaei also said the understanding over a new route was separate from the question of whether the strait is reopened or remains closed.
The talks matter because any change to shipping arrangements in Hormuz can have immediate implications for energy markets, maritime security and regional diplomacy. The strait has long been treated as a strategic chokepoint, and the current negotiations are taking place against the backdrop of renewed conflict in the area. Iranian officials have said the waterway has effectively remained under Iranian control since the outbreak of war.
Sponsored
Baghaei said the closure of the strait was caused by the United States' breach of its commitments, its naval blockade of Iran and other hostile measures. He also said mediators were trying to revive a June memorandum of understanding with the United States, while acknowledging that Hormuz remained the central issue. The comments suggest the maritime route talks are part of a wider effort to manage shipping access and reduce pressure around the waterway.
What remains unclear is the exact shape of the route, whether Oman has publicly confirmed the near-agreement, and how the proposal would interact with wider negotiations involving the United States. It is also not clear whether the talks will lead to a formal deal or only a temporary understanding. The next developments to watch are any official confirmation from Muscat, further detail on the route itself, and whether the arrangement affects shipping conditions in the strait.
Sponsored
