ALBAWABA- Iran and Oman have reached an agreement on the geographic parameters of a proposed commercial shipping corridor through the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei announced on Wednesday, while warning that the strategic waterway cannot yet be considered secure.
Baghaei said the two countries concluded an understanding on the route's coordinates after nearly two months of negotiations. He added that a joint statement outlining the agreement is in the final stages of drafting and review, but will be issued only if there are "no obstacles from third parties."
He stressed that the agreement "does not, in itself," mean the Strait of Hormuz has become safe for navigation, citing the continued U.S. naval blockade and ongoing U.S. and Israeli military aggression against Iran.
According to regional sources, the proposed arrangement would grant Iran greater oversight of vessels entering the Gulf through the strait, one of the key issues under negotiation. However, officials said several operational details remain unresolved, indicating that a full reopening of the vital shipping lane is not yet imminent.
The Strait of Hormuz, through which about one-fifth of global oil supplies and a significant share of liquefied natural gas normally pass, has remained heavily restricted since Iran imposed transit controls following U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iranian targets in late February 2026. The restrictions sharply reduced commercial shipping, disrupted global energy markets and sent oil prices higher.
Diplomatic efforts to restore navigation gained momentum after a U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding was signed in June 2026. The agreement led to the establishment of temporary transit corridors with support from Oman and the United Nations, while Tehran and Muscat formed a joint working group to negotiate long-term arrangements for navigation, maritime services, and operational procedures.
The latest understanding reflects closer coordination between the two countries, which share territorial waters in the Strait of Hormuz. Under international maritime law, coastal states are generally required to allow uninterrupted transit passage through international straits.
Iran, which is not a party to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, has maintained that it has the authority to regulate vessel movements, designate shipping routes and impose additional oversight measures during periods of conflict. Oman has continued to advocate for safe, toll-free navigation while working with Iran on a joint management framework for the waterway.
