Iran announced it has finalized geographical coordinates for a shipping route with Oman, though it maintains that full reopening depends on the end of the U.S. naval blockade.

Iran and Oman have reached an agreement on the geographical coordinates for a proposed shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei stated that the two nations are finalizing a joint statement covering technical, legal, and security aspects. However, Tehran maintains that the strait's reopening is contingent upon the U.S. ending its naval blockade of Iranian ports.

Negotiation Status and Disagreements

The agreement follows two months of negotiations between Iran and Oman. While Iranian officials stated the talks are independent of the United States, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed in a Fox News interview that the U.S. is involved in the process, which he described as moving along well. Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi indicated that the proposed route would be temporary, potentially remaining open for two to four months.

Security and Sovereignty Concerns

A central point of contention remains Iran's claim of sovereign control over the waterway and its stated intent to charge passage fees, a position rejected by the U.S. and Gulf countries who advocate for free navigation under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Iran has largely blocked the strait since late February, following attacks involving the U.S. and Israel, leading to significant fluctuations in global oil and liquefied natural gas prices.