The White House has remained silent on whether President Donald Trump would accept a proposed framework between Iran and Oman that Tehran claims would exclude military vessels from the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. Central Command, however, rejected Iran's assertion of authority over the international waterway.
"Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz," stated U.S. Central Command spokesperson Capt. Tim Hawkins. "The strait is an international waterway that commercial vessels continue to transit with U.S. military assistance." Hawkins added that U.S. forces have aided nearly 1,500 vessels in transiting the strait since early May.
Fox News Digital inquired whether Trump would accept a restriction on U.S. military vessels, whether American forces would comply, and whether U.S. warships retain the right to operate in the strait regardless of any future arrangement. The White House did not provide a response.
This silence follows months of public challenges by the Trump administration to Iran's efforts to control passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Previously, Secretary of State Marco Rubio had called a proposed toll system illegal, and Trump had threatened Oman if it interfered with a U.S. deal with Iran.
The administration had also employed military and economic pressure, including strikes on Iranian military targets, protection of commercial shipping, a blockade of Iranian ports, and expanded sanctions through its Operation Economic Outcast campaign. These measures aimed to reopen the strait on U.S. terms, but oil flows through the waterway remain significantly below pre-war levels, with traffic standing at about 5 million barrels per day compared to over 20 million barrels per day before the conflict, according to Reuters citing Vortexa data.
Oman and Iran announced a proposed framework on Monday to reopen the strait, which would include a joint temporary navigational corridor and a joint mine-clearing project. Technical discussions are set to continue regarding a permanent corridor, future administration of the strait, traffic management, and security services, leaving key terms unresolved.
Iranian officials provided further details, with Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stating that the temporary arrangement would route commercial ships entering the Persian Gulf through Iranian waters, with outbound traffic utilizing both Iranian and Omani waters. He also indicated that the proposal would exclude military vessels if finalized. Sepah News, an outlet associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, quoted IRGC spokesman Hossein Mohebbi as saying that Iran and Oman had reached agreements on water shares and revenue sharing, while also accusing the U.S. of obstructing talks.
However, Oman's official statement did not include mentions of a military-vessel ban, transit fees, or revenue sharing, and described the framework as a proposal. Iranian officials also told Reuters that the arrangement was not yet final.
This leaves a critical question unresolved: whether Iran can leverage the emerging commercial shipping framework to restrict American military access to the strait, and what the Trump administration's response will be if Tehran attempts to do so. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital chokepoint for global oil transportation.