Iran and Oman are finalizing an agreement to create a joint shipping route and jointly manage the Strait of Hormuz [1, 2].
The arrangement aims to secure safe passage for vessels and reduce security tensions in one of the world's most strategic waterways [1, 2]. By utilizing Omani territorial waters for a southern route, the deal seeks to stabilize maritime trade amid ongoing regional volatility.
President Donald Trump said the deal is in its final stages and could be announced today or tomorrow [2]. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he expects a deal with Iran this week [1].
The diplomatic movement comes as the U.S. continues military operations in the region. Reports indicate the U.S. has conducted strikes on Iran for 13 consecutive nights [3]. Despite the conflict, a CENTCOM spokesperson said the southern route of the Strait of Hormuz remains free and open [1].
The proposed joint management framework would allow Iran and Oman to coordinate the flow of traffic through the strait. This coordination is intended to prevent accidental escalations and ensure that commercial shipping is not disrupted by the broader geopolitical struggle between the U.S. and Iran.
Officials have not yet released the full text of the agreement, but the focus remains on the southern route to bypass more contested areas of the waterway [1, 2].
“"The deal is in its final stages and could be announced today or tomorrow,"”
The agreement represents a strategic attempt to decouple global energy shipping from the direct military conflict between the U.S. and Iran. By shifting the primary transit focus to Omani waters, the parties aim to mitigate the risk of a total blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which would have catastrophic effects on global oil prices and international trade.
