Iran and Oman Near Agreement on Strait of Hormuz, but Reopening Remains Conditional
Iran says talks with Oman on a new shipping arrangement for the Strait of Hormuz are close, but the waterway will not be reopened without additional conditions, including U.S. compensation.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Iran and Oman are "very close" to reaching an agreement on a temporary shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz, but the reopening of the waterway depends on other conditions, such as U.S. compensation to Tehran. He added that the previous traffic separation scheme is no longer acceptable to Iran and that technical and legal issues must be resolved before a permanent route can be established.
A U.S. official, who requested anonymity, told Reuters that Washington expects a deal between the two countries soon, which would allow normal oil traffic to resume. The official added that once a commercial shipping arrangement is announced, the United States will lift the blockade on Iranian ports, noting that U.S. actions will remain performance-based.
The United Arab Emirates reported that a vessel linked to its state oil company was struck by a missile while transiting the strait, with no injuries reported. Iranian authorities did not comment on the incident, and Iranian media quoted the UAE report without attributing blame.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard spokesperson Hossein Mohebbi said reopening the strait depends on the United States accepting Iran’s conditions and stopping interference in regional negotiations, but did not detail those conditions.
A senior Iranian source and regional officials said a proposed Iran-Oman deal could give Tehran control over ships entering the Gulf, a concession the United States has previously said it would not accept. The conflict has disrupted global energy shipments, contributing to higher prices and inflation.