Iran and Oman agree on new Strait of Hormuz maritime routes

Iran and Oman have finalized details regarding new entry and exit routes for the Strait of Hormuz. Under the new arrangement, the entry route into the Gulf will lie entirely within Iranian territorial waters, while a portion of the exit route will also pass through Iranian waters. Once the new system is operational, the southern route through the waterway will be closed. Iranian officials noted that the agreement does not constitute a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz; instead, Iran has set seven conditions for a full reopening, which are dependent on actions taken by the United States.

Iranian officials plan to brief Gulf countries on the outcome of these consultations during a regional meeting in Muscat. Separately, during the BRICS Summit, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that the BRICS bloc aims to counter the “unilateral sanctions regime” of the United States and develop alternative forms of trade and cooperation independent of individual country sanctions.