Iran announced that a deal with Oman regarding the control of the Strait of Hormuz is nearing completion, but stated it would not be sufficient to fully reopen the vital waterway. The UAE reported that Iran had struck another vessel in the strait, the latest in a series of attacks that have disrupted global shipping.
The proposed agreement between Iran and Oman is seen as crucial for a wider resolution to the conflict that began with U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28. The hostilities led Iran to establish a chokehold over the major energy export route. A U.S. official indicated on Friday that Washington anticipates an agreement soon between Iran and Oman, which would allow normal oil traffic to resume.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated that Iran and Oman are "very close" to an agreement on a new shipping route through the strait. However, he emphasized that reopening the waterway depends on additional conditions. These include U.S. compensation to Iran, an end to U.S. threats, cessation of aggression against Iran and its regional allies, and the lifting of sanctions and blockades.
Oman has condemned repeated attacks on vessels transiting the strait and described its negotiations with Iran on shipping arrangements as "positive and constructive." The Omani foreign ministry stressed the importance of avoiding actions that could jeopardize the ongoing talks and progress made.
Araqchi further explained that the previous traffic separation scheme in the strait is no longer acceptable to Tehran. Iran is currently discussing a temporary route with Oman while technical and legal aspects of a permanent solution are being resolved. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, described as a relative moderate, expressed his belief that the current time is opportune for an agreement, noting a sense of cohesion and strength within the country.
Iran has responded to U.S. attacks by targeting U.S. bases in Gulf states and Jordan, as well as striking ships in the Strait of Hormuz. This narrow passage, which carried a fifth of the world's oil and gas shipments before the war, has been significantly impacted. The UAE reported on Saturday that a vessel affiliated with its state oil company was hit by a missile while transiting the strait, though no injuries were reported.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations reported that a vessel caught fire after being struck by an unknown projectile, but the fire was extinguished with no reported environmental impact. Iranian authorities have not yet commented on this specific incident.
The Trump administration has recently signaled that a deal to open the strait could be imminent, although Iran has previously denied ongoing talks. It remains unclear if the current negotiations will lead to a lasting arrangement.
A U.S. official stated on Friday that the U.S. would lift the blockade of Iranian ports once a deal is announced to restore commercial shipping without impediments. U.S. actions will be contingent on Iran's implementation of its commitments, the official added.
U.S. Central Command reported on Saturday that it had permitted over 30 ships carrying humanitarian aid to pass since the current blockade began. The command also stated that U.S. forces had turned away 53 ships, disabled two vessels, and boarded two others.
President Pezeshkian attributed the rapid increase in prices for food and necessities in Iran since the conflict began in February to difficulties in importing basic goods, implicitly blaming the U.S. He did not mention any exceptions for humanitarian aid in the blockade.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards, who have been linked to the ship attacks, asserted on Saturday that reopening the strait is dependent on Washington accepting Iran's conditions and is unrelated to the Iran-Oman negotiations. Guards spokesperson Hossein Mohebbi stated that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen once the United States accepts Iran's terms.
Earlier this week, sources indicated that a potential deal would grant Iran some control over ships entering the Gulf through the strait. This would represent a significant concession to Iran, according to a senior Iranian source and two regional officials. U.S. officials have consistently stated they would not agree to Iran controlling access to this critical energy trade route. The extent to which the U.S. may have sought to alter the parameters of the deal is not clear. Iran has used the ongoing hostilities to justify charging tolls on oil tankers and has fired on ships attempting to cross the strait without permission, severely disrupting global shipments and contributing to rising energy prices and inflation.