Iran and Oman are close to finalising a bilateral understanding on new shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, according to statements from Iranian officials and regional sources. Ismail Baghaei, spokesman for Iran’s foreign ministry, said on 5 August that talks between the two coastal states have been under way for two months and that the geographical coordinates of the proposed route have been agreed. He added that a joint statement is in the final drafting stage, provided no third parties obstruct the process. Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s deputy foreign minister, told the Iranian news agency IRNA that the understanding covers almost all issues, including the map of entry and exit lanes, and is on the verge of completion.

Iranian officials have stressed that the agreement with Oman does not by itself mean the strait is open for commercial shipping. Baghaei said the strait was closed because of “US and Israeli military aggression against Iran” and that “US factors that make the strait insecure, especially the naval blockade and other aggressive and threatening measures against Iran and its interests, still exist.” Gharibabadi echoed this, stating that reopening the strait requires a separate decision and depends on an assessment of whether the United States is ready to return to its commitments under the Islamabad memorandum of understanding. He added that Iran has received messages from Washington indicating readiness to return to those commitments, but that entering a second phase requires a new decision.

Under the proposed model, a significant portion of both inbound and outbound commercial traffic would pass through Iranian territorial waters, according to Gharibabadi. He said the current temporary routes – a northern lane near Larak Island and a southern lane in Omani internal waters – would be closed once the new arrangement is implemented. Regional sources cited by Reuters and CNN reported that the deal would give Iran control over vessels entering the Gulf, while Oman would control the exit lane. A senior Gulf official told CNN that the chances of an agreement by Friday, 7 August, were 50-50, and that the Iranian negotiating team does not include representatives of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, who would need to approve the preliminary deal. The same official noted that US President Donald Trump has claimed “very good talks” with Iranian counterparts, though Tehran denies any direct contact with Washington.

The understanding is linked to a previous agreement reached between Washington and Tehran in June to end hostilities and reopen the strait, which collapsed, according to two regional sources cited by the Associated Press. Those sources said the new arrangement could pave the way for resuming broader talks between Iran and the United States over Tehran’s nuclear programme. The draft agreement, described as a temporary 60-day mechanism that can be extended, awaits final approval from Iran’s leadership, the sources added. Baghaei said there are no plans for Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi or parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf to travel to Pakistan or Qatar this week, though Iran remains in contact with both countries as they continue their efforts to reduce tensions.