A temporary agreement brokered by Oman could see naval blockades lifted and shipping lanes secured within hours, though officials warn the deal remains fragile.
A fragile framework emerges
Iran, Oman, and the United States are in the final stages of negotiating a temporary agreement designed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and resume maritime traffic, according to a report by Axios. An announcement on the terms could be imminent.
The proposed arrangement, described by Western media sources as a 60-day interim understanding, aims to de-escalate tensions along the critical waterway. Crucially, the framework includes a separation of shipping traffic: vessels entering the Persian Gulf would use a northern lane within Iranian waters, whilst those exiting would transit a southern lane under Omani jurisdiction.
The draft agreement also stipulates that no transit fees will be charged during the initial 60-day window. Furthermore, all parties are expected to commit to commencing mine-clearing operations in the central channel of the strait within 30 days. The accord would include options for renewal, potentially laying the groundwork for a permanent settlement, alongside an easing of US sanctions on Iranian oil exports and the lifting of the American naval blockade.
“Significant progress” and sharp ultimatums
President Donald Trump struck a notably optimistic tone during an interview with Fox News, suggesting a breakthrough is within reach. “We are doing very well with the negotiation with Iran. We’re going to find out over the next 48 hours. A lot of progress has been made,” he stated.
However, reflecting the precarious nature of diplomacy between the two long-time adversaries, the US president immediately followed his assessment with a stark ultimatum. “The strait is going to be opened very soon, or they’re going to get hit very hard, and after that it’s going to be opened,” Trump warned, making clear that Washington is prepared to resume escalation should the talks collapse.
Sticking points on sovereignty and fees
The path to a lasting understanding remains littered with political obstacles. Tehran is insisting on preserving its right to levy “service fees” on shipping in the future, a stance that is reportedly meeting stiff resistance from Gulf Arab states. In a bid to circumvent the impasse, Oman has proposed an alternative model involving voluntary contributions from non-commercial organisations to fund maritime security.
A central demand from Washington is the formalised, verifiable renunciation of nuclear weapons by Iran. “Iran will never have a nuclear weapon. They can’t have one now, but it’ll be formalized,” Trump clarified earlier this week.
Cautious signals from Tehran
Iranian officials have confirmed the advanced stage of the talks whilst attempting to temper expectations of an immediate resolution. Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei confirmed that negotiations between Tehran and Muscat are proceeding “positively at both the technical and political levels,” though he maintained that no direct contacts are currently taking place with the American side.
“The negotiations with Oman are focused on the establishment of secure maritime routes, while issues related to US-Iran relations will be addressed at later stages,” Baghaei noted.
In a further signal of the delicate diplomatic choreography, Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB claimed that any agreement between Iran and Oman on shipping would not automatically trigger the strait’s reopening. Resumption of normal traffic, the outlet insisted, remains contingent on “a change in the US position” and the rectification of American “violations.”
