Diplomacy – US Nears Interim Strait of Hormuz Shipping Agreement With Iran and Oman
Diplomacy – The United States is on the verge of announcing a temporary agreement with Iran and Oman aimed at restoring safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, following weeks of heightened regional tensions and renewed diplomatic engagement.
The United States is reportedly preparing to unveil an interim understanding with Iran and Oman designed to ease tensions in the Strait of Hormuz after the breakdown of a previous 14-point Memorandum of Understanding between Washington and Tehran last month. According to an Axios report citing regional sources and a US official, the announcement could be made on Wednesday if the remaining formalities are completed. The proposed arrangement is expected to support a renewed ceasefire while creating conditions for fresh diplomatic talks, including discussions surrounding Iran’s nuclear programme.
Temporary Maritime Framework Under Discussion
According to the report, negotiators have drafted a 60-day interim framework that would regulate commercial shipping through one of the world’s most strategically important waterways. The plan allows for an extension if all parties agree and if negotiations continue to make progress.
Under the proposal, vessels entering the Persian Gulf would travel through a designated northern shipping corridor located within Iranian waters. Ships departing toward the Arabian Sea would use a southern route passing through Omani waters in coordination with Iranian authorities. During the temporary period, commercial vessels would not be required to pay transit charges or additional navigation fees.
Naval Mine Clearance Included in Proposal
The reported agreement also contains a commitment to remove naval mines from the central shipping lane within 30 days. Once the waterway has been declared safe, that central corridor could become the primary route for both incoming and outgoing maritime traffic under a longer-term agreement expected to be negotiated between Oman and Iran.
Officials involved in the discussions believe that establishing a secure shipping framework would reduce the risk of future confrontations while supporting uninterrupted international trade through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy supplies.
Diplomacy Preferred Over Military Action
The negotiations gained momentum after US President Donald Trump decided over the weekend to delay previously threatened large-scale military action against Iran. Following consultations with Gulf partners, the administration reportedly chose to extend diplomatic efforts rather than proceed immediately with military operations.
Despite favouring negotiations, the report noted that Washington has continued to warn that military options remain available if diplomatic efforts fail to produce an agreement within a reasonable timeframe.
Previous Understanding Collapsed Amid Renewed Violence
Axios reported that American officials, Omani representatives and regional mediators had believed a similar arrangement had been reached nearly three weeks earlier. However, that effort reportedly fell apart after Iran allegedly resumed attacks on commercial vessels, triggering roughly two weeks of military exchanges that raised concerns about a wider regional conflict.
The renewed negotiations are therefore viewed as an attempt to restore confidence and prevent another escalation in the Gulf.
Regional Mediators Continue Active Engagement
Alongside Oman, several regional countries have reportedly supported the diplomatic process. According to Axios, Qatar, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have all participated in mediation efforts intended to bridge differences between Washington and Tehran.
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is said to have held multiple discussions in recent days with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi as negotiations entered their final phase.
Regional sources cited in the report said Araghchi accepted the proposed framework in principle over the weekend but required formal approval from Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, and the country’s Supreme National Security Council. A US official and a regional source later indicated that the necessary approvals were completed on Tuesday, bringing the proposed agreement significantly closer to an official announcement.