TEHRAN/MUSCAT — A potential breakthrough over the Strait of Hormuz is taking shape as Iran and Oman move closer to an agreement on a new route for commercial ships, raising hopes that one of the world’s most important energy corridors could gradually return to operation.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry said Wednesday that negotiations with Oman had entered their final stage and that the two countries had agreed on the geographical coordinates of a proposed shipping route. The discussions have focused on establishing a safer passage for commercial vessels through the strategically important waterway.
Route Coordinates Agreed
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the two sides had been negotiating for roughly two months to determine a safe transit route for commercial shipping.
According to Tehran, the coordinates of the proposed route have now been settled. The joint statement outlining the main terms is also reportedly undergoing final review and drafting.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said an understanding had been reached on most of the outstanding issues, including where vessels would enter and leave the designated route.
Under the proposed arrangement, much of the shipping corridor would pass through Iranian territorial waters, while some sections would run through Omani waters.
Temporary Route Could Operate for Months
The proposed system would replace existing temporary routes. Iranian officials said the new corridor could remain in operation for two to four months, with the possibility of extending it beyond that period.
That makes the proposal more than a short-term navigation arrangement. If implemented, it could provide shipping companies with a defined corridor while broader political and security negotiations continue.
However, agreeing on a route is only one part of the challenge. The wider security situation around Hormuz remains unsettled.
Hormuz Still Not Fully Open
Despite the progress announced by Tehran and Muscat, officials have not declared the Strait of Hormuz fully open to normal commercial traffic.
The waterway has remained under severe restrictions following the resumption of fighting between Iran and the United States. The disruption has affected a major share of global energy shipments and contributed to higher oil and gas prices.
Iran has also warned that an agreement with Oman alone cannot guarantee safe passage while it says U.S. military pressure and a naval blockade remain in place.
That means shipping companies are likely to remain cautious until there is greater clarity over security conditions and the rules governing commercial vessels.
U.S. Objects to Iranian Control
The biggest obstacle may not be the route itself but who ultimately controls and manages traffic through it.
U.S. officials, including President Donald Trump, have said Washington would not accept an arrangement that leaves Iran in control of the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran, meanwhile, appears determined to preserve what officials describe as strategic gains achieved during the conflict.
This difference in position could make the final stage of negotiations particularly sensitive. A technical agreement between Iran and Oman may therefore need to fit into a much larger political and security settlement involving Washington.
Why the Strait Matters to the World
The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial gateway for international energy markets. Disruptions there can affect tanker movements, oil supplies, LNG shipments, insurance costs and ultimately energy prices around the world.
The latest developments have therefore attracted close attention from governments, energy companies and shipping operators.
A reliable reopening could ease some of the pressure currently weighing on energy markets. But any delay, renewed confrontation or uncertainty over navigation rules could quickly reverse that optimism.
A Route Agreed, But the Bigger Deal Remains
The agreement on the route represents an important diplomatic step, but it should not yet be mistaken for a full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran and Oman still need to finalize the joint statement, while the wider dispute involving the United States remains unresolved. Security concerns also have to be addressed before commercial shipping can return to normal levels.
For now, the latest development offers a cautiously positive signal: the two countries have moved from discussing how ships might pass through Hormuz to agreeing on where that passage could take place.
Whether that technical breakthrough becomes a functioning international shipping arrangement will depend on what happens next in the broader Iran-U.S. negotiations.
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