World
Iran, Oman Finalize Hormuz Route Plan
How much control will each side keep over ships crossing the strait?
How much control will each side keep over ships crossing the strait?
The dispute over the is really about who gets to shape access to one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints, and on what terms. Iran and Oman are trying to restore while preserving leverage over , safety, and , which makes the talks significant for and .
Iran's Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that Tehran and Muscat had reached an understanding on the of the route and that a was in final drafting. Reuters reported that the deal would give Tehran control over ships entering the Gulf through Hormuz, while Baghaei said the talks were professional and moving forward if did not interfere. Bloomberg likewise said a was under review, making this the latest reported status, with no final public agreement yet announced.
The New York Times reported that Iran and Oman were close to an agreement to reopen shipping in the . Officials described the emerging structure as an controlled by Iran and an near Oman, with no tolls but a for security, environmental impact, and staffing. The report indicated that the practical mechanics of the route had largely been settled, leaving implementation and political approval as the remaining issues.
Iranian state media said Oman had proposed a , with each side managing lanes in its own and allowing voluntary contributions from shipping vessels. Iran then put forward a under which one route would lie entirely in Iranian waters and part of the other lane would also pass through Iranian territory so Tehran could oversee both inbound and outbound traffic. The exchange made clear that route design was now directly tied to who would control movement through the .
Reuters reported that Oman had won backing from Gulf states for a plan that would let Iran collect for use of the Strait of Hormuz. Under the proposal, Iran would not have sole control and the payments would be voluntary, reflecting an attempt to soften the sovereignty dispute while preserving a mechanism for revenue and oversight. The report showed the negotiations had widened beyond Oman and Iran to include regional political support.
Bloomberg reported that Iran and Oman were trying to restart shipping traffic through the strait after officials met in Tehran over the weekend. At the same time, the talks were said to be focusing on an arrangement under which Iran and Oman would each manage lanes in their own waters, rather than a single unilateral routing fix. This marked a shift from a temporary corridor to competing concepts for formal route management.
Iran said it had agreed with Oman to continue on and future shipping arrangements in Hormuz. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said the talks in Muscat were led by the two foreign ministers and included legal and technical delegations. The discussions covered safety, security, , and international law, showing the talks moving into detailed implementation work.
Reports said Tehran and Muscat were negotiating how shipping would be paid for once the initial ended. The memorandum left room for talks on future administration and maritime services, and Iranian authorities were described as already discussing a possible fee model for using the strait. The issue mattered because it turned the route question into a broader debate over control, compensation, and maritime services.
Iran and Oman said in that they would continue talks on the future governance of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Reuters reported that the two foreign ministries formed a collaborative to advance discussions on and related expenses. This was the first clear institutional step from the temporary corridor toward a managed transit system.
Iran and Oman reached a that set up a temporary, toll-free passage arrangement for commercial vessels through the for 60 days. The agreement also said the two sides would later discuss the future management of navigation and maritime services in the strait, with consultation from other . The deal was significant because it created the legal opening for a broader control framework instead of a purely emergency fix.