Iran, Oman reach deal on Hormuz shipping route map

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Saturday that Iran and Oman have reached an agreement on a shipping route map for the Strait of Hormuz following weeks of technical negotiations between the two coastal states. Speaking to Defa Press, Baghaei stated that the plan resulted from extensive coordination between Iran's foreign, defense and security agencies, describing the arrangement as an independent bilateral effort to ensure safe passage through the strategic waterway.

Technical breakthrough

Baghaei told Defa Press that intensive negotiations began three months ago under a June 18 memorandum of understanding establishing safe navigation corridors. "Despite US obstruction, the talks have made positive progress over the past three weeks, and an agreement has been reached on the shipping route map," he said, noting that the Foreign Ministry led the coordination with participation from defense, security and environmental authorities. The spokesman added that exchanges between Tehran and Muscat would continue until outstanding issues were finalized.

Joint statement pending

The two sides remain in consultation over a formal statement to be issued by the capitals, Baghaei said, adding that technical teams would continue working to complete the process. He stressed that the Iran-Oman arrangement preserves the sovereignty of both coastal states while establishing protocols for maritime traffic through the strait.

Broader context

The bilateral Iran-Oman talks form part of technical negotiations launched under a separate Iran-US memorandum of understanding that tasked Tehran and Muscat with developing a new navigation framework. Baghaei stated that fully restoring security and normal commercial shipping requires an end to what Tehran describes as illegal American actions, military threats and the ongoing naval blockade, adding that compensation for Washington's breaches of commitments over the past two months remains essential.