Iran and Oman agree Hormuz route but await US agreement

Iran says close to Hormuz plan with Oman, but reopening depends on US agreement. Iran and Oman have agreed a route for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz and are finalizing arrangements for jointly managing the strategic waterway. Tehran stated that the geographical coordinates of the route have been agreed upon, and a joint statement is in the final review stage if third parties do not obstruct the process. However, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei emphasized that the Strait remains insecure due to US naval blockade and aggressive actions against Iran. Fresh security incidents highlight continued risks for regional shipping. For example, a British maritime security agency reported explosions near an oil tanker transiting the strait. Meanwhile, Yemen’s Houthis struck two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, marking the eighth and ninth attacks since their blockade began. Before the war, the Strait of Hormuz carried around a fifth of the world’s oil and LNG exports, but prices surged due to disputes over the waterway. Iran has exercised de facto control, threatening unauthorized vessels and demanding tolls—a move the US opposes. Iran’s foreign ministry denied negotiations with Washington, while US Vice President JD Vance acknowledged the complexity of diplomacy, citing Iran’s fractured leadership and difficulties in reaching agreements. The war has disrupted key energy routes, including the Persian Gulf and Red Sea, forcing many vessels to take alternative routes. Iran’s strategy involves controlling the strait and imposing tolls, which it did not previously exercise, while the US remains opposed to such measures.