Iran has said that an agreement with Oman to establish new shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz is close to completion, but stressed that the strategic waterway will not reopen until the United States meets a series of demands from Tehran.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said the agreement with Oman was in its final stages. However, he made clear that the deal would only establish the framework for new shipping routes and would not by itself lead to the immediate reopening of the strait.
According to Iranian officials, the new shipping arrangements would come into effect once the United States takes further steps demanded by Tehran.
Iran sets conditions for reopening Hormuz
Tehran is demanding compensation for damage caused by US attacks, an end to American military threats and the lifting of sanctions. Iran has also called for the removal of the US naval blockade in the Gulf and the release of frozen Iranian assets.
Iranian officials have additionally demanded an end to what they describe as US aggression against Iran and its regional allies.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy shipping routes. Before the conflict, around one fifth of global oil and gas supplies passed through the waterway, making its prolonged closure a major concern for energy markets and international shipping.
No direct talks between Iran and US
Araqchi said Iran and the United States are not currently holding direct negotiations. Tehran has refused to begin direct talks while accusing Washington of violating an interim agreement reached in June.
Communication between the two sides is instead taking place through intermediaries.
US President Donald Trump has described the current engagement with Iran as limited, saying Washington is only partly negotiating while continuing to monitor the country’s economic situation.
The United States has indicated that it could lift its blockade of Iranian ports if Tehran fulfils its commitments and commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz can resume without restrictions.
Regional tensions remain high
The developments come as tensions continue across the wider Middle East. Iran backed Houthi forces in Yemen have expanded attacks in the region, including a reported strike on Saudi Arabia’s Jazan refinery.
Saudi Arabia has responded to the deteriorating security situation by strengthening its regional defence partnerships. Riyadh recently signed a defence agreement with Turkey and Pakistan, although Turkish officials said the arrangement was not aimed specifically at Iran.
For now, the proposed Iran Oman agreement offers a possible path towards restoring commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. However, Tehran’s conditions for reopening the waterway mean that the final outcome still depends heavily on decisions by Washington.