Iran and Oman Near Deal on New Strait of Hormuz Shipping Route

Iran Oman Strait of Hormuz new maritime route U.S.–Iran negotiations

Iran and Oman are in the final stages of negotiations to create a new maritime transit mechanism through the Strait of Hormuz. Both sides say the proposed route will be neither the existing northern nor southern corridor and will respect the sovereign rights and security interests of each country. Iranian officials stress that any agreement does not mean the strait will be reopened, nor that it will remain closed.

Iran blames the United States for the closure, citing a U.S. naval blockade and other hostile measures. U.S. President Donald Trump announced a suspension of American bombings against Iran and cancelled a planned strike, while also proposing a 20 % toll on ships transiting the strait. Following the suspension announcement, Brent crude fell about 5 % to roughly $84 a barrel. Ship traffic through the waterway dropped sharply, with only 14 vessels recorded on a recent day versus 37 the week before.

The talks occur amid broader regional tensions, with the United States, Iran and Oman all directly involved in the diplomatic and security dynamics surrounding the strategic chokepoint.

Entities: Abbas Araghchi · Ali Asadov · Azerbaijan State Road Police · Donald Trump · Drivers · Esmaeil Baghaei · Esmaeil Baqaei · Esmail Baghaei · Fuad Muradov · Heydar Aliyev Foundation · Ilham Aliyev · Iran

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 14 SOURCES] Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson said the talks are bilateral and do not involve any other country. (multiple)
[● 8 SOURCES] U.S. President Donald Trump announced a pause on planned military strikes against Iran. (multiple)
[● 10 SOURCES] Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reported the progress of the talks to the cabinet. (multiple sources)
[● 20 SOURCES] The talks aim to create a new maritime route distinct from the existing north and south corridors. (multiple)
[● 13 SOURCES] The new route will respect the sovereign rights of Iran and Oman and protect their national interests and security. (Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson)
[● 21 SOURCES] The prospective agreement is not linked to the reopening or continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz. (multiple)
[● 14 SOURCES] Iran and Oman negotiations are in their final stages. (multiple articles)
[● 20 SOURCES] Approximately 20 % of global oil consumption normally transits the Strait of Hormuz. (multiple)
[● 3 SOURCES] Iran's Supreme National Security Council secretary warned that continued U.S. pressure could tighten the Hormuz closure and close other strategic straits. (Iranian security chief)
[○ 1 SOURCE] Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz after U.S. and Israeli attacks on 28 February 2026. (Iranian officials)
[● 2 SOURCES] The United States maintains a naval blockade of Iran. (Iranian officials)
[● 3 SOURCES] Iran and Oman are near a final agreement on a new navigation route through the Strait of Hormuz. (Iranian officials)