Iran Nears Agreement with Oman on Strait of Hormuz Shipping Plan

Iran announced that it is close to finalising a joint statement with Oman on a plan to manage commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian Foreign Affairs spokesperson Esmail Baghaei told reporters that "an understanding has been reached regarding the map of the transit route," adding that the parties intend to package the map with a joint statement. The proposed arrangement would allow vessels to enter near Iran and exit near Oman, with an interim period of free passage without fees or tolls.

The United States has made the full reopening of the strait a condition for lifting its blockade of Iranian ports. The waterway, which carries about one-fifth of global oil shipments, was effectively closed after attacks on Iran on Feb. 28.

President Donald Trump warned that the U.S. would take military action against Oman if it interfered, saying the country would be bombed. He also noted that the 60-day deadline for U.S.–Iran peace talks had expired but claimed the timeline was irrelevant and that a back-channel with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps remained open.

In related regional developments, Jared Kushner met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after discussions with Hamas leaders in Egypt, while two Iraqi officials in the Kurdish region were targeted in drone attacks reportedly launched from the Iranian border. No casualties were reported.