Iran and Oman have reached a gradual agreement to establish a 'temporary joint maritime corridor' and a 'joint mine removal project' to resume safe navigation in the Hormuz Strait, which has been restricted due to recent conflicts.
This development comes just a day after the Trump administration announced an expansion of economic sanctions against Iran. Amid increasing economic pressure from the U.S., diplomatic discussions aimed at normalizing navigation in the Hormuz Strait are gaining momentum.
On the 25th, according to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Badr al-Busaidi, the Omani Foreign Minister, announced a 'joint statement' with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi during his visit to Tehran.
The statement indicated that both sides agreed on the need to quickly resume safe navigation in the Hormuz Strait while respecting each country's sovereignty and sovereign rights.
It also mentioned discussions on a practical and actionable 'gradual framework' to stabilize the heightened tensions in the Strait following recent conflicts.
This gradual framework includes the immediate establishment of a 'temporary joint maritime corridor' for vessel passage and a joint project to remove mines in the Strait.
Additionally, both sides agreed to continue technical negotiations for long-term management of the Strait, which will cover the establishment of a permanent maritime corridor, an information exchange system, maritime traffic management, and maritime and security services.
Furthermore, they emphasized the importance of promoting joint dialogue with neighboring countries along the Persian Gulf and reaffirmed that compliance with international law and respect for the sovereignty of coastal nations are essential for managing the Strait.
Since the collapse of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the U.S. and Iran in June, Iran and Oman have been negotiating to normalize vessel operations through the Hormuz Strait. Oman has played a mediating role between the U.S. and Iran and possesses waters adjacent to the Hormuz Strait.
The Financial Times assessed this movement as the first sign of negotiation progress in weeks amid diplomatic efforts by mediating countries to ease tensions surrounding the Hormuz Strait. Diplomatic officials expect that if Iran and Oman reach a final agreement, it could pave the way for the U.S. and Iran to resume implementation of the existing MOU.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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