Iran and Oman have reached an understanding regarding the geographic coordinates for a shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei announced on Wednesday. A joint announcement is currently being finalised, dependent on certain third parties not interfering.
Baghaei added that any such agreement between Iran and Oman would not, by itself, guarantee security in the strategic waterway. He described the negotiations between Tehran and Muscat as “professional” and “moving forward,” stating that “the two sides had reached a mutual understanding on the geographical parameters of the route under discussion.”
A senior Iranian source and two regional officials reportedly told Reuters that the proposed deal would grant Tehran control over ships entering the Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz. This development is seen as a potential step towards a broader ceasefire agreement with the United States, which could lead to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz for marine traffic and the lifting of a US blockade on Iranian ports.
The Strait of Hormuz was a neutral waterway before joint strikes by the US and Israel in February, which prompted Iran to attack shipping in the region.