Iran and Oman Agree on Temporary Shipping Lane in Strait of Hormuz

Iran and Oman have agreed to establish a temporary joint shipping corridor through the Strait of Hormuz and to undertake a joint project to clear mines from the strategic waterway, according to a joint statement released after diplomatic talks.

The agreement came during a meeting between Oman's Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Albusaidi and Iran's top diplomat Dr. Seyed Abbas Araghchi in Tehran. The talks focused on resuming safe navigation through the Strait while safeguarding sovereignty and rights of both countries.

The framework includes phased implementation starting with a temporary navigation corridor and a mine-clearing mission, with ongoing technical negotiations aimed at creating a permanent arrangement for managing the Strait that includes information exchange, maritime traffic management, and security services, the statement said.

Oman's Foreign Minister expressed hope that practical arrangements to restore safe navigation would be announced soon and indicated that future management of the Strait and a permanent solution would follow. He emphasized the importance of engaging regional partners for peace, cooperation, stability, and freedom of navigation.

"Future management of the Strait and a permanent solution will follow in due course," said Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Albusaidi, Oman’s Foreign Minister.

Oman's statement about joint mine-clearing efforts appeared to contradict remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump, who said earlier that the U.S. Navy had already removed all mines from the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait is a critical route for global oil exports and has been a flashpoint amid ongoing regional conflicts.

President Trump had previously threatened military action against Oman over its talks with Iran, despite Oman being a U.S. ally. The talks between Iran and Oman are part of a memorandum of understanding signed by Washington and Tehran in June, which aimed to define future administration and maritime services in the Strait.

Iran insists on a shipping route through its territorial waters in the northern part of the Strait, threatening attacks on ships that do not comply, while the U.S. military protects a southern route along Oman’s coast. Since May, more than 660 million barrels of crude oil have passed through the Strait under U.S. protection, according to U.S. Central Command.

Recent incidents include attacks on cargo ships in the Strait, resulting in casualties, highlighting the strategic and volatile nature of the waterway.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei also confirmed Oman's Foreign Minister's visit to Tehran to continue these discussions, noting the regional importance of the talks.