Iran and Oman have agreed on new entry and exit routes for ships through the Strait of Hormuz after months of technical and diplomatic talks, but the arrangement does not mean the crucial waterway has been reopened.
Under the proposed system, the entry route into the Gulf would remain entirely within Iranian territorial waters, while part of the exit route would also fall within Iranian waters. Iran has said the southern route, which the US wants kept open, would be closed once the new system begins.
Tehran has also conveyed seven conditions to Washington, saying the Strait will remain closed until they are met. The development was due to be discussed with Gulf countries and Iraq at a regional meeting in Muscat on September 14, but Oman postponed the meeting on September 13, saying more time was needed to build consensus.
The delay comes as shipping through Hormuz remains far below normal, oil prices have risen above $100 a barrel and concerns over regional energy security continue to grow.
Iran sees the proposed routes as part of a system managed by the coastal states, while the US has pushed for continued access through the southern route. Oman, meanwhile, has sought to mediate and promote safe navigation and regional dialogue.
New Routes, But No Reopening Yet
According to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency, the understanding with Oman was reached following intensive negotiations that concluded in late August. Iranian sources said the new entry route would run entirely through Iranian territorial waters, with part of the exit route also passing through Iranian waters.
The routes would operate under arrangements established by Tehran, while the southern route would reportedly be closed once the new system becomes operational. Iranian officials have stressed that this should not be interpreted as a reopening of Hormuz.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said the agreement with Oman over the maritime route does not itself mean that the Strait has been reopened. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the two countries had held consultations as the coastal states of the Strait and planned to brief regional governments on the outcome.
“As part of the agenda, we are going to brief the delegations about the results of the Iran and Oman consultations regarding the safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz,” Baghaei said, adding that the meeting would hopefully include Gulf countries, Iran and Iraq.
Oman has also said the proposed framework includes a temporary joint shipping corridor, mine-clearing efforts, information sharing and further talks on a permanent navigation system.
Regional Consensus Remains Elusive
The proposed arrangement follows months of heightened tensions around the Strait, which connects the Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea and carries a significant share of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supplies.
Before the current crisis, around one-fifth of global oil and LNG shipments passed through the waterway, making any prolonged disruption a global economic concern. Iran has said it has presented seven conditions to the US and that the Strait will remain closed until Washington takes the required steps.
The US, however, has insisted that the southern route should remain open, reflecting a broader disagreement over navigation rights and control. The issue has also created unease among Gulf states. Bahrain said it would not participate in a collective meeting involving Iran until diplomatic relations between the two countries are restored.
Bahrain severed diplomatic ties with Tehran in 2016 and said dialogue could not ignore what it described as attacks on its infrastructure and civilian sites. Oman, which has maintained a role as a regional mediator, postponed the planned September 14 meeting.
Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said the delay was aimed at creating conditions for greater consensus and constructive dialogue. The postponement came as shipping activity through Hormuz remained dramatically below normal levels, while disruptions to other regional energy routes added to concerns over global supplies and prices.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The Strait of Hormuz is ultimately more than a geopolitical bargaining chip. It is a vital global passageway on which economies, workers, families and communities far beyond West Asia depend. Any arrangement that can make maritime navigation safer and reduce the risk of further conflict deserves serious attention, but lasting security cannot come from one side imposing its terms on another.
Iran’s concerns over sovereignty, the US’s demand for freedom of navigation, Oman’s mediation efforts and the security concerns of Gulf states all need to be acknowledged if a sustainable solution is to emerge. The postponement of the Muscat meeting is a reminder that diplomacy takes patience, particularly when trust between countries is fragile.
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