Iran and Oman discuss temporary corridor through Strait of Hormuz
Iran and Oman's foreign ministers met in Tehran and agreed to keep negotiating a temporary shipping corridor through the Strait of Hormuz, effectively closed since Iran's war began in February. The talks came a week after Trump threatened to strike Oman if it hindered US-Iran negotiations.
Iran's and Oman's foreign ministers met in Tehran on Tuesday to discuss a phased approach to restoring ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway that has been effectively closed since war broke out in Iran in February.
Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a joint statement that they had discussed a phased framework intended to serve as a practical basis for moving forward. The plan includes setting up a joint temporary navigational corridor through the strait alongside a mine-clearing operation in the waterway.
What comes next
According to the statement, further negotiations will focus on establishing a permanent navigational corridor, deciding on the strait's future administration, and creating a mechanism for information-sharing, traffic management and navigational and security services.
Albusaidi wrote on social platform X that he was hopeful a temporary corridor for the Strait of Hormuz would be announced soon, adding that both countries would also work toward a lasting solution and an agreement on who will oversee the strait.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi told state television that the proposed temporary route for vessels entering the Persian Gulf from the Gulf of Oman would run entirely through Iranian waters, while outbound traffic would pass through both Iranian and Omani waters. He said Iran and Oman would continue talks over the next 30 to 60 days.
The meeting came a week after US President Donald Trump threatened, in an interview with Fox News, to strike Oman if it "got in the way" of talks between Washington and Tehran over the strait — remarks made as June's US-Iran memorandum of understanding expired. It remains unclear whether Trump will accept the arrangement reached between Iran and Oman.
Separately, Iran's president and other senior officials also discussed the strait on Tuesday with a Pakistani delegation that departed Tehran the same day, following talks aimed at reviving efforts to end the war in Iran.
