Iranian officials confirmed on Sunday that negotiations with Oman regarding a new passage through the Strait of Hormuz are nearing a conclusion. This development follows the decision by the United States to halt planned military strikes, opting instead to prioritize diplomatic channels.
President Donald Trump stated that he delayed potential attacks on Iran, including strikes targeting energy facilities, after discussions with regional allies like Saudi Arabia. Trump indicated that negotiations were progressing, claiming he received a request from Iran to pause military operations. However, Iranian authorities have publicly disputed the claim that they asked the US to refrain from striking.
The current conflict, which began on February 28 following joint US and Israeli strikes, has created significant instability. While tensions persist, lawmaker Hassan Ghashghavi noted that mediators are actively working to restore elements of the June Islamabad memorandum. This framework serves as a preliminary step toward broader discussions, with the Strait of Hormuz remaining the primary point of contention.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian emphasized the importance of holding opposing parties to their signed agreements. Currently, the strait remains closed to unrestricted traffic, with Tehran demanding tolls—a practice the US categorically opposes. President Trump has explicitly linked any potential agreement to the full reopening of the waterway and the abandonment of Iran’s nuclear program.
Esmaeil Baqaei, spokesperson for Iran’s foreign ministry, clarified that the potential agreement with Oman involves a specific maritime route designed to respect national interests and sovereign security. He noted, however, that this arrangement does not equate to a full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Data from the tracking firm Kpler indicates that commercial traffic through the strait has seen a dramatic decrease since the onset of the conflict.
