Oman and Iran discuss new Hormuz shipping route amid US-Iran tensions
Oman said talks with Iran on a joint shipping corridor through the Strait of Hormuz are progressing, while Iran warned that any agreement would not immediately reopen the waterway.
Oman’s foreign ministry said discussions with Iran about a joint shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz are moving forward, but no timetable for a final agreement was provided. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the talks as being in their final stages, adding that a full reopening of the strait remains "subject to other conditions" such as compensation from the United States for alleged violations of a June cease-fire deal. Iran’s security chief, Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr, told a semi-official news agency that the strait would stay closed until the United States meets six Iranian demands, including ending threats, lifting the naval blockade of Iranian ports and releasing frozen assets.
The United States has maintained a naval presence in the region since February, when it and Israel began attacks that effectively blocked the strait, a key conduit for about 20% of global oil and gas shipments. President Donald Trump recently suggested a deal with Iran could be near, while Vice-President JD Vance said work remains and the United States is using diplomatic, economic and military tools to protect American interests. Vance also noted efforts to develop a traffic scheme to allow safe passage of vessels.
Separately, the United Arab Emirates reported that an Adnoc-affiliated tanker was struck by a missile in the strait, describing the incident as a hostile Iranian attack, though no casualties were reported. Iran has previously been reported to consider charging a fee of 5%-7% of cargo value for vessels transiting the strait, a claim Vance said Iran has denied.