Iran-Oman Hormuz Deal Near Finalization: Shipping Routes Agreed
Key Points
- Iran's Foreign Ministry said on August 6, 2026 that a deal with Oman to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is "on the verge of being finalised" after both countries agreed on shipping route coordinates.
- The Strait of Hormuz carries one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas supplies; Iran closed it after US and Israel strikes began at the end of February.
- US officials reject any arrangement leaving Iran in control of the waterway, while Iran insists it is negotiating only with Oman and that routes should require no permits, approvals or fees from Washington.
Disagreement Between Washington and Tehran Over Shipping Control
A June 17 memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran attempted to establish a framework for peace, stipulating that Iran would ensure the strait remained open for at least 60 days. That agreement collapsed last month, with the two countries primarily disagreeing over which routes ships should take. Iran attacked several vessels that had taken an Oman-approved route backed by the US.
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The US has made clear it will not accept any arrangement on the waterway that leaves Iran in control. According to Al Jazeera's Mahmoud Abdelwahed reporting from Tehran, "Washington rejects reports suggesting that Iran would have control over traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, and they say that any temporary route should not require any permits, approvals or fees."
Baghaei has dismissed claims that a bilateral agreement with Oman would automatically lead to reopening of the strait. He stated that a potential deal with Oman "cannot in itself be interpreted as meaning the waterway has become safe for passing vessels," arguing that the main source of instability remained US naval deployments, maritime blockade of Iranian ports, and other "hostile measures against the country and its interests."
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Iran continues to insist it is negotiating exclusively with Oman and not directly with Washington. Meanwhile, the US position requires that any temporary shipping route operate without Iran imposing permits, approvals, or fees on vessels.
Abdelwahed noted that while a final agreement on a temporary shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz appears to be in the making, the underlying dispute remains unresolved. "So while a final agreement on a temporary route in the Strait of Hormuz is now in the making, the dispute remains unresolved. That means that any agreement on a shipping route does not necessarily mean the end to the crisis," he said. Once an agreement on the strait is reached, broader peace talks could potentially begin again, though it remains unclear whether such an arrangement would be temporary or require further negotiations on future shipping arrangements.
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What Happens Next
If an agreement on shipping routes is finalized with Oman, the next phase likely involves resuming broader peace negotiations between Washington and Tehran. However, the fundamental disagreement over Iran's control and access to revenue from the strait suggests any deal will be temporary, requiring continuous renegotiation. The US position rejecting Iranian fees or permits may prove the central obstacle to a durable arrangement.
Sources: AP, Reuters, ESPN, Bloomberg, BBC and other international news outlets.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Content is based on publicly available news sources.
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