Iran, Oman Finalize Shipping Lane Coordinates in Strait of Hormuz, Await US Signals

Tehran is weighing a finalized agreement with Oman on the Strait of Hormuz, after the two sides agreed on coordinates for shipping lanes through the strategic waterway, according to senior Iranian officials amid continued regional instability.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on August 8 that the deal with Oman was “very close,” but warned that full reopening of the strait would depend on US adherence to commitments in a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in June, which Tehran says has been violated. Iran has repeatedly criticized Washington for supporting the southern lane in the strait without coordinating with Tehran, failing to prevent Israeli attacks on Lebanon, and refusing to release frozen Iranian assets under sanctions.

In a separate development, Hossein Mohebbi, spokesman for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), declared that reopening the Strait of Hormuz “has its own specific mechanism and is not related to negotiations between Iran and Oman.” Mohebbi stressed that the US has no choice but to accept Tehran’s conditions, and called on the administration of US President Donald Trump not to interfere in talks with Oman that are “almost at a final conclusion.”

Earlier, Hassan Qashqavi, spokesman for the Iranian parliament’s National Security Committee, confirmed that the framework of the agreement with Oman had been agreed upon and that a deal could soon be signed, but still awaited approval from “higher levels.”

Under the proposed agreement, ships entering the strait would use the northern lane within Iranian territorial waters, while outbound vessels would use the southern lane in Omani waters, coordinated with Tehran. US media reported that the interim deal is expected to last 60 days with possible extensions, and includes discussions on mine clearance in the central corridor, movement of military vessels, and a fee system for transiting ships.

In a television interview, President Masoud Pezeshkian said he would “strongly protect” the MoU signed with the US, and dismissed speculation about his resignation amid accusations from hardliners that he used the threat of quitting to counter opponents of diplomacy with Washington.

The Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of the world’s oil passes in peacetime, has been severely disrupted since the US and Israel attacked Iran in late February. Iran’s Foreign Ministry said a joint statement with Oman could be issued if an agreement is reached to restore partial ship traffic to the route.

Despite positive signals from the talks, regional tensions remain high. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) accused the IRGC of targeting an oil tanker owned by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) with a missile as it crossed the Strait of Hormuz on August 8, calling the act “piracy” and a direct threat to regional security. Meanwhile, Houthi forces in Yemen continue to confront Saudi Arabia and disrupt Saudi-linked vessels in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb strait, with ship traffic through both straits down sharply compared with pre-conflict levels.

Global energy markets reacted positively to the prospect of a diplomatic deal, with Brent crude closing around $83 per barrel on August 8. On Iran’s domestic market, the rial strengthened to 1.85 million rials per US dollar, a slight recovery from the record low of about 1.94 million recorded last week. Tehran Stock Exchange’s main index also rose more than 2%, nearing its all-time high.

The future of a broader long-term agreement, including Iran’s nuclear program and years-long economic sanctions, remains unresolved, while maritime security discussions continue to dominate the regional agenda.