Iran and Oman are nearing an agreement on reopening shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a development that could reshape international control of one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints, according to Iranian and U.S. officials familiar with ongoing negotiations.
Under the proposed arrangement, inbound ships entering the Persian Gulf would travel through a channel controlled by Iran near its coastline, while outbound vessels would use a separate channel near Oman. Iranian officials said ships would not face tolls but would pay what they described as a "service fee" to cover environmental impacts, security for cargo ships and tankers, and staffing costs. Two Iranian officials said the revenue from these fees would be split equally between Iran and Oman.
The structure represents a significant shift in how the Strait of Hormuz operates. Before the current conflict, the waterway functioned as an open international passage controlled by neither nation. A finalized agreement would effectively grant Iran official authority over vessel routing and fee collection, cementing Tehran's control over traffic through the strategic passage.
A U.S. official familiar with the negotiations disputed Iran's characterization on Monday, stating that any temporary shipping routes would not require Iranian approval or permission and would involve no tolls or fees. The official did not provide details on an alternative arrangement.
According to Open Source Intel:
A senior Iranian official told Reuters that a proposed Hormuz deal with Oman would give Iran full control over all inbound maritime traffic, with Oman clearing outbound vessels only after notifying Tehran. Iran is unlikely to accept any alternative to reopen the strait.
A source familiar with the details told i24NEWS:
- Progress has been made in talks between Iran and Oman regarding a temporary solution for the Strait of Hormuz.
- Iran’s main achievement under the proposed arrangement would be that vessels enter the strait through the Iranian side.
- During the interim period, maritime mines located in the center of the strait would begin to be cleared, allowing the entire waterway to reopen. Talks would then resume on a permanent arrangement for the strait.
- The Americans are “far more” flexible in their demands than the Omanis.
- Any agreement reached between Iran and Oman is expected to be acceptable to the United States. Iran conveyed the following message: “Any solution that we agree to and sign must also receive Washington’s approval.”
Conditions for Iranian Agreement
Iranian officials said the strait would remain closed to shipping until the United States lifts its naval blockade of Iranian ports in the Persian Gulf and both sides return to the 14-point Islamabad memorandum of understanding, a framework document that has been central to negotiations.
Officials also indicated that the U.S. could further ease market pressure and facilitate an agreement by granting sanctions exemptions that would allow Iran to legally sell and export oil on international markets.
Trump Administration Context
The negotiations reflect the Trump administration's stated priority of reopening international commerce through the strait, a key political objective for President Trump. Restored shipping through the Hormuz would ease global energy markets and reduce pressure on oil prices, addressing what administration officials have identified as a significant economic challenge.
However, the terms under discussion underscore a fundamental tension in U.S. policy: opening the strait requires accommodation with Iranian demands, yet accommodating those demands effectively concedes strategic control of the waterway to Tehran—a reversal of the pre-2026 status quo in which the U.S. Navy maintained significant authority over passage through the strait.
