Iran announced on Wednesday that it is nearing the completion of an agreement with Oman regarding the management of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime passage. U.S. President Donald Trump indicated that an official announcement concerning the deal could be made as early as this week.
If approved and implemented, the agreement could lead to the reopening of the strategic waterway, relieve severe global trade disruptions, and potentially foster broader efforts toward ending the active conflict. However, the proposed framework remains contingent on the United States lifting its naval blockade of Iranian ports.
The Trump administration has consistently rejected any proposal that formalizes Iranian authority over the strait, maintaining that such terms would represent a major strategic concession and breach long-standing international maritime norms.
Conversely, Iranian officials have asserted that the strait will not return to its former status as an unrestricted international transit zone, insisting on maintaining oversight over the route.
The military conflict began on February 28 following joint U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran, aimed at dismantling Tehran’s nuclear capabilities and ousting its government. As those primary objectives remain unfulfilled, the fighting has shifted focus toward control of the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian attacks and maritime restrictions have severely hampered commercial shipping through the chokepoint—which historically accommodated approximately 20% of global oil and natural gas trade.
The sharp reduction in maritime traffic has spiked international fuel prices and consumer costs, exerting significant strain on the global economy while increasing political pressure on President Trump ahead of upcoming U.S. congressional elections.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei confirmed that negotiations with Omani representatives have reached the final phase, noting that the drafting process is in the “final stage”
Baghaei added that a joint formal statement would be issued “if certain parties do not obstruct this process”
Regional officials speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity stated that Iranian and Omani envoys have finalized the draft text and are currently waiting for formal authorization from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei.
Khamenei, who is reported to have sustained injuries during the initial military strikes of the war, has refrained from public appearances since the onset of the conflict.
According to the officials, the draft functions as a temporary framework linked to a previous U.S.-Iran understanding reached in June that aimed to halt hostilities and reopen the waterway before collapsing. They noted that the proposed arrangement could also serve as a pathway for Washington and Tehran to resume broader diplomatic talks regarding Iran’s nuclear program.
Under the outlined terms, vessels entering the Persian Gulf would travel via a maritime route supervised by Iran, while outbound ships would navigate a route managed by Oman.
The draft framework also includes the implementation of service fees intended to cover maritime security and environmental protection costs.
Washington has maintained firm opposition to any terms that allow Iran to levy such transit fees.