Iran and Oman outlined a proposal Tuesday to jointly establish a temporary shipping channel through the Strait of Hormuz, according to regional officials, after weeks of fraught discussions between the two countries.
Tehran and Muscat discussed a “phased framework” for a joint project facilitating a “temporary shipping corridor” and to “clear mines,” a press statement from the Iranian and Omani foreign ministries said.
Officials will carry on talks “with the aim of reaching agreement on a permanent shipping corridor and the future administration of the Strait,” the statement added.
Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi visited Iran and held consultations with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, the state-run Oman News Agency (ONA) reported earlier.
After the meeting, the Omani foreign minister said he was “hopeful” both nations would “soon announce a temporary corridor” for the strait. “Future management of the Strait and a permanent solution will follow in due course,” he posted on X. “Discussions with regional partners will be conducted in support of peace and cooperation, stability and freedom of navigation,” Al Busaidi added.
Araghchi wrote in a post on X that the proposed deal showed that “Iran’s commitment to peace and stability is matched by steadfast diplomacy with our neighbors.”
Over the past few weeks, Tehran and Muscat held negotiations to stabilize shipping in the waterway, which has emerged as a key bargaining chip in stalled discussions between Iran and the US, following months of regional violence.
Earlier today, US President Donald Trump reiterated that all mines in the Strait of Hormuz have been removed or detonated, and he threatened to destroy any boats that try to place more. “We are watching every square inch of the strait,” he said.
Meanwhile, Qatar Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a telephone call and discussed the proposed temporary shipping channel, the Qatar foreign ministry said Tuesday.
Qatar has previously voiced support for the efforts between Oman and Iran to reach an agreement over the Strait of Hormuz, despite US President Donald Trump’s threat to attack Oman if it interferes with US operations in the strategic waterway.
