Iran has announced an agreement with Oman on the details of a shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz, signaling progress in diplomatic efforts to reopen the vital waterway. Foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei stated that Tehran and Muscat have agreed on navigational coordinates, with a joint statement in the final stages. However, he cautioned that safe passage is contingent on the US lifting its naval blockade on Iranian ports.

Reopening the strait is a key objective for US President Donald Trump, aiming to reduce fuel prices before the midterm elections. Trump indicated significant progress was being made. This Iran-Oman accord could revive a previous memorandum aimed at extending a ceasefire and gradually restoring prewar shipping levels. The Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately a fifth of the world's oil and gas passed before the conflict, has become a critical point of leverage and a battleground between the US and Iran.

Under the proposed arrangement, vessels would transit Iranian waters upon entering the strait and primarily Omani waters upon exiting. Initially, Iran would send its own ships, including oil tankers, to ensure the waterway is mine-free. Negotiators hope a deal will lead to the US lifting its naval blockade and reinstating waivers for Iranian oil sales. However, analysts note the precarious nature of any agreement due to deep-seated distrust and unpredictability. The Strait's closure has significantly impacted regional exports, and prior disputes over transit routes have led to escalatory tit-for-tat attacks. The potential reopening follows months of conflict and collapsed interim deals, including one concerning Iran's nuclear program. The final approval for the deal reportedly still rests with Iran's top leadership, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei.