Iran-Oman Talks on Temporary Strait of Hormuz Route Enter Final Stage

TEHRAN: Iran has said negotiations with Oman on establishing a temporary safe maritime route for vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz have entered their final stage.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said during his weekly press briefing that discussions between Tehran and Muscat on designating a secure passage for commercial shipping through the strategic waterway were nearing completion.

Baghaei said the understanding reached between Iran and Oman could also be submitted for registration with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in the coming days.

According to the Iranian spokesman, the proposed temporary route is intended to provide commercial vessels with a clearly defined and comparatively secure passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

He said continued tensions in the waterway were linked to what Tehran describes as US and Israeli military aggression and a blockade against Iran.

Baghaei maintained that as long as the current situation continued, commercial vessels would face difficulties travelling through the waterway with a full sense of safety and confidence.

The proposed arrangement with Oman is therefore aimed at creating a practical mechanism to facilitate maritime movement despite the ongoing regional confrontation.

The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea and is one of the world’s most important energy shipping routes.

A major volume of global crude oil and other energy products passes through the waterway, making its security crucial for international energy markets.

According to the information provided by Iran, the number of vessels using the route has fallen sharply since Tehran restricted shipping following the US and Israeli attacks, dropping from around 100 vessels a day to roughly five.

The reduction in maritime traffic has heightened concerns over fuel supplies and contributed to rising energy prices.

The emerging Iran-Oman understanding comes as military tensions involving Iran, the United States and Israel continue to affect commercial shipping in the Gulf.

A temporary maritime corridor could offer shipping operators a clearer route through the strategic waterway while negotiations and broader diplomatic efforts continue.

The outcome of the Iran-Oman talks could therefore have implications not only for regional maritime security but also for global oil supplies, energy prices and international trade.