Iran is nearing a deal with neighboring Oman that would create a temporary and narrow shipping lane through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iranian state media and U.S. President Donald Trump. The proposed arrangement, which Iranian officials say is in its final stages, would reroute commercial vessels through a central corridor jointly managed by Iran and Oman, a move that would give Tehran a role in controlling traffic through the strategically vital chokepoint.
President Trump stated on Thursday that a deal to reopen the strait "could be [coming] soon," though he claimed to be involved in talks despite Iranian officials publicly denying direct negotiations between Washington and Tehran. A U.S. official insisted that any temporary routes would be "without any impediments — meaning no approvals or permissions and no tolls or charges," adding, "The Strait of Hormuz is an international waterway and no party controls the lanes or the ability to transit through them."
The plan, as reported by Iranian media, would replace the existing lanes that run along the coastlines of Iran and Oman. The new corridor would be in place for two to four months while a longer-term agreement is negotiated, which could include Iran imposing transit charges. The existing U.S.-backed route along Oman's coast has faced opposition from Tehran and has been targeted by forces blamed on Iran.
Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi told the state-owned IRNA news agency that the arrangement represents a new model giving Tehran more control, with a significant portion of the shipping route passing through Iran's territorial waters. However, questions remain about how quickly the corridor could become operational, as it would require de-mining before ships could safely use it.
Iranian officials have also indicated that a full reopening of the strait is contingent on Washington lifting its naval blockade on Iranian ports, easing energy sanctions, and unfreezing Iranian assets. The Institute for the Study of War suggested that Iran likely views this shipping arrangement as a preliminary step towards a broader agreement, and is unlikely to relinquish leverage without securing wider concessions from the U.S.
The White House has not publicly commented on the reported Iran-Oman arrangement, and Oman has yet to release details. The Strait of Hormuz, which normally handles about 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas exports, has faced severe restrictions since U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran began in February, disrupting global energy markets and one of the world's busiest shipping lanes. Oil traders have reacted with cautious optimism, with Brent crude prices showing a slight decrease despite the ongoing uncertainty.