Iran and Oman Near Agreement on New Shipping Route Through Strait of Hormuz as Reopening Talks Advance

Aug 5, 2026

Iran and Oman are finalizing a temporary agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by establishing a new shipping corridor. The proposed framework would route inbound ships through Iranian-controlled waters and outbound ships through Omani waters. However, significant friction remains over Iran's demands for transit fees of 5% to 7% of cargo value, which the US and global shipping groups strongly oppose. Meanwhile, regional security remains highly volatile as Houthi rebels continue to launch missile attacks on Saudi oil tankers.

Strait of Hormuz negotiations

▪Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei stated that a bilateral agreement with Oman alone would not guarantee security in the Strait of Hormuz.
▪The proposed Strait of Hormuz agreement is designed as a temporary arrangement, potentially lasting between two to four months.
▪Iran and Oman are in the final stages of drafting an agreement on geographic coordinates for a new shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz.

Proposed Iranian route control

▪A senior Iranian source and regional officials stated the proposed deal would grant Iran control and monitoring authority over ships entering the Persian Gulf.
▪The proposed shipping framework would direct vessels entering the Persian Gulf through an Iranian-controlled route and exiting through an Omani-controlled route.
▪Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stated that Tehran does not recognize the rights of any country other than Iran and Oman in the negotiation process.

Shipping transit fees dispute

▪Eight global shipping associations urged the United Nations and the International Maritime Organization to oppose mandatory transit charges in the Strait of Hormuz.
▪A United States official stated that any temporary shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz must operate without permits, approvals, or fees.
▪Iran is demanding transit service fees of 5% to 7% of cargo value, while Oman has proposed 3% and the United States opposes any mandatory fees.

Regional maritime attacks

▪A cargo ship, identified as the Liberia-flagged Minoan Pioneer, was struck by an unidentified projectile off the coast of Oman, causing a fire.
▪Yemen's Houthi rebels claimed to have targeted two Saudi oil tankers with missiles, including an attack off the Red Sea port of Yanbu.

US diplomatic statements

▪US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated there is a chance of a deal to open the Strait of Hormuz with guaranteed freedom of movement.
▪US President Donald Trump stated that a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz could be reached as early as Wednesday or Thursday.

Iranian denuclearization goals

▪President Donald Trump stated that the first phase of diplomacy is opening the Strait of Hormuz, followed by a second phase focused on Iranian denuclearization.
▪US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that negotiations with Iran focus on the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the long-term denuclearization of Iran.