The United States, Iran, and Oman are reportedly on the verge of securing an interim agreement to reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz, raising prospects of de-escalating a critical maritime standoff in the Middle East.
The proposed temporary arrangement is designed to restore 17June ceasefire between Washington and Tehran, resolve urgent disputes over shipping routes, and clear the path for broader negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme, reports Al Jazeera.
A corridor compromise
Under the tentative framework reported by Axios, commercial shipping would resume through a co-ordinated dual-channel system. Vessels entering Persian Gulf would utilise a northern shipping lane through Iranian waters, while outbound ships would navigate a southern route within Omani territorial waters co-ordinated with Tehran.
This temporary solution, initially slated to last 60 days, would charge no transit fees. The plan also includes clearing naval mines from the central waterway before seeking a long-term operational agreement.
While Iran continues to deny holding direct talks with Washington, Tehran has engaged in technical and political discussions brokered by Muscat. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei described these Omani-mediated talks as positive, focusing on safe navigation that respects coastal sovereignty.
According to Reuters, a senior Iranian negotiator revealed that Tehran has dropped its demand for total shipping control in both directions but is unlikely to make further concessions.
Meanwhile, Iranian state media Press TV reported a different proposal for a “middle corridor” to replace existing routes, while other regional officials cited by the Associated Press suggested service fees for maritime security and lifting the US blockade on Iranian ports are also being discussed.
Domestic and sanctions hurdles
For Washington, the diplomatic push is driven by growing domestic and military pressures. Defensive munitions stockpiles are reportedly running low, contributing to President Donald Trump’s weekend decision to call off a massive military strike.
Additionally, the prolonged closure of the waterway, which saw traffic drop to just eight transits on Monday from a pre-war average of 130 daily, threatens to deplete global oil reserves and spike domestic petrol prices ahead of the upcoming US midterm elections.
However, implementing any agreement faces complex legal and political obstacles. International maritime law prohibits charging passage tolls in international straits, though coastal states may charge for active services like navigation aid or environmental protection.
US sanctions present a severe logistical barrier. Esfandyar Batmanghelidj of the Bourse & Bazaar Foundation noted that shipping lines might be legally barred from co-ordinating with Iranian authorities without explicit waivers from the Trump administration, putting the ball back in Washington’s court.
A stepping stone, not a cure
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified that the immediate negotiations are strictly limited to reopening the straits, separate from broader discussions regarding Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Policy experts, including Trita Parsi of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, argue that Washington should accept a compromise that guarantees free passage rather than rejecting a deal simply because it acknowledges Iranian coastal regulation.
Former Pentagon official David Des Roches also noted that any realistic deal must acknowledge Iran’s geographic role on the coast.
While a breakthrough would provide a critical cooling-off period, Abas Aslani of the Center for Middle East Strategic Studies warned that the region remains on a “high-speed roller-coaster”.
A Hormuz agreement is a crucial first step to revive the June MoU, but wider issues, including Red Sea shipping disruptions and the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, remain unresolved.
