FLASH NEWSIran-Oman Deal Fails to Reopen Strait of Hormuz

Strait of Hormuz Remains Closed

The Strait of Hormuz will not be reopened to normal commercial shipping despite Iran’s recent maritime agreement with Oman. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stated that the US must first meet several conditions, including lifting naval blockades, easing sanctions, and unfreezing assets, before free navigation can resume. This clarification comes after Tehran announced an agreement with Oman on the geographical route vessels would follow through the strategic waterway, raising hopes of a potential reopening.

The Iran-Oman arrangement is only a framework for managing vessel movements and does not amount to a decision to restore unrestricted shipping. Gharibabadi emphasized that the US must take several steps to rebuild trust after the collapse of the June memorandum of understanding between the two countries. These demands include addressing sanctions targeting Iran’s oil sector, resuming negotiations over frozen Iranian assets, and ensuring stability in Lebanon.

Global shipping associations have strongly opposed proposed transit fees for vessels using the Strait of Hormuz. In a joint open letter, eight maritime associations warned that introducing transit charges would create a dangerous precedent for international shipping, increase transport costs, and ultimately affect consumers worldwide. The US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, has also stated that any attempt by a state to control international waters would violate international law.

The proposed system would have a substantial share of commercial shipping transit through Iranian territorial waters, while the remainder would pass through Omani waters. However, Gharibabadi insisted that Iran did not intend to routinely close the waterway during peacetime. The comments reinforce Tehran’s view that control over the Strait of Hormuz has become a strategic issue alongside its long-standing insistence on retaining nuclear enrichment.