Iran and Oman Negotiate Hormuz Shipping Corridor Excluding Military Vessels

Iran and Oman are finalizing a provisional agreement to coordinate civilian ship traffic through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, under which military vessels would be barred from transiting the narrow waterway.

According to Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, Tehran will not permit military ships to navigate the strait as part of the proposed arrangement. The framework emerged following diplomatic discussions between senior officials from both nations aimed at restoring safe passage for commercial shipping, which has been severely disrupted nearly six months into the ongoing regional conflict.

Gharibabadi emphasized that under the preliminary agreement, inbound commercial traffic to the Persian Gulf would utilize Iranian territorial waters exclusively, while outbound vessels would follow a dual-corridor route traversing both Iranian and Omani maritime zones. He noted that these temporary measures would remain in place while officials work toward establishing a permanent maritime traffic management protocol within 30 to 60 days.

The development unfolds against mounting tension with the United States, whose administration has expressed strong reservations about the emerging deal. U.S. President Donald Trump recently warned that military action could be taken against Oman should it impede American interests, reflecting Washington’s opposition to aspects of the proposed agreement—particularly the joint Iranian-Omani oversight of the southern exit corridor from the strait.

The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical artery for global energy shipments, with approximately one-fifth of worldwide petroleum liquids passing through its waters daily. While the U.S. acknowledges Oman’s efforts to facilitate commercial navigation, American officials maintain concerns regarding revenue collection mechanisms tied to vessel passage, insisting that even voluntary fees designated for security and environmental safeguards may contravene existing sanctions regimes.

In related commentary, Trump asserted in interviews with regional broadcasters that the United States holds a decisive advantage in the protracted standoff with Iran, adding that he operates without fixed timelines for diplomatic resolution. Concurrently, foreign ministry representatives confirmed ongoing communications between Tehran and United Nations agencies addressing humanitarian impacts stemming from expanded economic restrictions.

Regional economic disruption continues unabated, exemplified by Dubai International Airport’s report showing a 31.3% decline in passenger volume during the first half of the year compared to the previous period, underscoring broader commercial fallout from persistent instability in the Gulf region.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi formally petitioned the UN Special Committee on Sanctions to condemn what Tehran characterizes as an unlawful campaign to isolate its economy, citing deliberate deprivation of essential commodities including pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, and energy infrastructure financing.

Additional sources • AP

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