Iran-Oman deal to fully open Strait of Hormuz? ‘It represents a new model’ — What the framework proposes

Published 7 August 2026 · world

All eyes are on the Iran-Oman deal, aimed at ending the ongoing US-Iran war and easing severe maritime disruption in the Strait of Hormuz. While

All eyes are on the Iran-Oman deal, aimed at ending the ongoing US-Iran war and easing severe maritime disruption in the Strait of Hormuz. While details continue to emerge, the timeline for its enforcement remains unclear. Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said earlier this week the agreement with Oman, which lies on the other side of the waterway, is in the “final stage” of drafting. According to Fars News, the two sides have reached an understanding on the geographical coordinates of the proposed corridor. Baghaei told reporters Wednesday that a joint statement will be issued “if certain parties do not obstruct this process,” in an apparent reference to the US, the Associated Press reported. The Strait of Hormuz is crucial to global shipping and energy supplies. Before the war, which began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran in February, about one-fifth of the world’s traded oil and natural gas passed through the waterway at the mouth of the Persian Gulf. What's being proposed in Iran-Oman deal? Iran and Oman are reportedly discussing a framework that would eventually eliminate the northern and southern shipping corridors in the Strait of Hormuz and channel all maritime traffic through a central route. Under the proposed arrangement, ships would initially enter through the northern corridor near Iran’s coast and leave through the southern corridor near Oman, the IRGC-affiliated Fars News reported, citing an Iranian Foreign Ministry source.

After a specified transition period, both routes would close, with inbound traffic through the central corridor managed by Iran and outbound traffic jointly managed by Iran and Oman, Iran International reported. Meanwhile, an Al Arabiya source explained that under the plan, inbound vessels would use the shipping lane closest to Iran, while outbound vessels would use the lane closest to Oman. Regional parties could also take part in mine clearance and other necessary technical procedures, the report added. The source further said that ships would be charged for services including insurance, refuelling and environmental protection, rather than paying a fixed percentage of their cargo’s value. Fars reported other details, including a proposed ban on any Israel-related cargo. “Iran expects during that time, it would receive relief to sell oil,” another report claimed. The proposed agreement is expected to last 60 days. However, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi told IRNA that while existing temporary routes would be closed, the new route would be used for two to four months or potentially longer. Iran has maintained that it would not tolerate any foreign interference in the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that any understanding on the strategic waterway should be reached exclusively between Iran and Oman. The deal aims to resume maritime traffic and launch technical talks. Any new deal on the Strait of Hormuz would have to be approved by Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, who has been in hiding since being injured in the initial US-Israeli attacks in February.