The United States, Iran, and the Sultanate of Oman are approaching a temporary agreement to reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz. Consequently, Washington will soon announce the diplomatic breakthrough, according to regional sources and a US official speaking to Axios.
Why it matters: The proposed deal grants Tehran an expanded role in managing maritime navigation through the strategic waterway. Furthermore, this arrangement grants Iran formal operational influence that it did not possess prior to recent hostilities.
Strategic Terms of the 60-Day Deal
The framework establishes a 60-day temporary transit system between Oman and Iran, with clear options for future extension. Therefore, commercial maritime operators must adapt to specific new navigational routing rules:
- Northbound traffic: All commercial vessels entering the Arabian Gulf must use a designated northern corridor inside Iranian territorial waters.
- Southbound traffic: All ships exiting toward the Arabian Sea will travel through a southern corridor inside Omani waters in direct coordination with Iranian authorities.
- Transit fees: Regional authorities will collect no transit fees or shipping dues during the initial 60-day operational window.
- Mine clearance: Specialized mine-clearing teams will remove hazardous naval mines from the central channel within 30 days.
- Permanent arrangements: Commercial ships will utilize the middle channel for two-way transit after clearance under long-term terms between Muscat and Tehran.
Regional Mediation and Diplomatic Efforts
Regional mediators previously thought they secured a binding deal three weeks ago. However, Tehran resumed attacks on commercial vessels, sparking two weeks of heavy fighting that nearly triggered full-scale regional war.
Consequently, Qatar, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia joined Oman in active mediation efforts. Simultaneously, the White House maintained intensive involvement through direct executive communications. US Envoy Steve Witkoff conducted critical discussions with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi over recent days.
Additionally, Minister Araghchi approved the framework in principle over the weekend. However, the proposal still required formal sanction from Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and the Supreme National Security Council. Sources confirm that Iranian leadership finalized full official approval on Tuesday.
Nuclear Negotiations and Security Risks
The big picture: This diplomatic progress aims to restore a fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran. Ultimately, regional leaders hope this agreement reopens formal negotiations for a comprehensive nuclear treaty.
In addition, Gulf nations view the stability of the Arabian Gulf as vital to global energy security. Consequently, Saudi Arabia and its regional partners continue to support diplomatic avenues that safeguard international shipping lanes.
What’s next: The emerging deal aims to restore the US-Iran ceasefire and restart talks on a new nuclear agreement. President Donald Trump decided last Saturday not to launch the large-scale strikes he had threatened. He chose instead to give diplomacy more room. Still, he could authorize major military action again if this agreement collapses too.
