Iran Oman nearing Strait of Hormuz shipping deal

Iran and Oman are nearing finalization of an agreement to establish a temporary, safe shipping corridor through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies. The proposed arrangement, announced Monday by Iranian officials, aims to manage maritime traffic amid ongoing conflict and security threats that have significantly reduced passage through the waterway. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei stated that negotiations with Oman have made substantial progress and are in their final stages. The agreement is expected to be registered with the International Maritime Organization in the coming days. While details are still being formalized, reports suggest the corridor will be approximately seven miles wide and operate under strict authorization protocols. Vessels transiting the route will require direct permission from Iranian authorities, granting Tehran significant leverage over the strategically vital strait. The initiative comes as the Strait of Hormuz, which handles roughly 20 percent of the world's seaborne oil and liquefied natural gas, has seen traffic fall dramatically since conflict began in late February.