3 weeks ago
Iran, Oman Reach Understanding on Hormuz Shipping Route Coordinates
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway between Iran and Oman that connects the Persian Gulf to the open ocean.
It is like a busy doorway for ships, especially ships carrying oil and gas.
A lot of the world's oil passes through this waterway, so it is very important.
Since March of this year, ships have had trouble using it, and this has made fuel and shipping more expensive.
Iran and Oman have been talking to each other to try to fix the problem.
They have agreed on where the ships should sail, which is called the coordinates of a shipping route.
Iran would look after ships coming in, and Oman would look after ships going out.
The deal is not finished yet, and the two countries are still working on some details.
It is meant to be a temporary arrangement, not the final solution to the bigger problems in the region.
The two countries also say the deal does not automatically make the waterway safe.
Iran and Oman have reached a "mutual understanding" on the geographic coordinates of a proposed shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz.
The arrangement is in its final stages of review and drafting, with a joint announcement expected once remaining details are settled, according to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei.
About a quarter of global seaborne oil trade and roughly a fifth of liquefied natural gas shipments pass through the Strait of Hormuz, where shipping has been disrupted since March 2026.
Under the proposed temporary arrangement, Iran would control inbound shipping while Oman would oversee outbound traffic.
Officials said the deal does not guarantee maritime security and fended off US President Donald Trump's claim that an agreement to reopen the strait was looming, saying several key issues remain unresolved.
- Who
- Iran and Oman, with Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei commenting on the negotiations; US President Donald Trump also claimed an agreement to reopen the strait was looming.
- What
- Negotiating a temporary shipping route arrangement through the Strait of Hormuz, on which they have reached a "mutual understanding" over geographic coordinates.
- Where
- The Strait of Hormuz, between Iran and Oman, the only sea passage connecting the Persian Gulf with the open ocean.
- When
- As of August 06, 2026, following shipping disruption that began in March 2026.
- Why
- To create a practical mechanism for commercial navigation amid Gulf tensions and shipping disruption since March, which have pushed up fuel, insurance, and supply chain costs.
Supportive view
Cautious view
Does the deal resolve the Hormuz crisis?
Supportive view
The talks are constructive and create a practical mechanism for commercial navigation while wider political disputes remain unresolved.
Cautious view
It should not be seen as a final settlement of the Hormuz crisis and does not automatically guarantee maritime security, with important operational details still being negotiated.
Iran's role in managing the strait
Supportive view
The negotiations concern only the routing of vessels and are being conducted with Oman, not the United States, with Iranian officials denying direct US talks.
Cautious view
Any framework giving Iran a larger role in managing traffic through the strait is likely to be scrutinised by Gulf Arab states and the United States.
Is an agreement to reopen the strait imminent?
Supportive view
US President Donald Trump claimed that an agreement to reopen the strait was looming.
Cautious view
Iranian and regional sources fended off that claim, saying several key issues still needed to be resolved and that any agreement would not guarantee security.
Key facts
- Countries involved
- Iran and Oman
- Waterway
- Strait of Hormuz
- Status
- Final stages of review and drafting; joint announcement expected once details settled
- Share of global seaborne oil trade
- About a quarter
- Share of LNG shipments
- About a fifth
- Shipping disruption since
- March 2026
- Proposed traffic split
- Iran controls inbound; Oman oversees outbound
- Iranian spokesperson
- Esmaeil Baghaei
Quotes
Esmaeil Baghaei
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson
“"The negotiations between Tehran and Muscat have been constructive and we are preparing a joint announcement."”
news18.com









