Iran-Oman talks on Strait of Hormuz: What we know

Iran-Oman discussions on Strait of Hormuz: What we know. AFP Published August 26, 2026 Updated August 26, 2026 10: 18pm.

Key points

• Iran and Oman are negotiating the opening of a temporary shipping corridor and the clearance of mines in the blockaded Strait of Hormuz.
• "Oman and Iran are effectively negotiating elements of a post-war governance and security architecture for Hormuz – which explains the slow pace, " Omani researcher Abdallah Baaboud informed AFP.
• For Iran, the Strait of Hormuz is additionally not an isolated maritime problem.
• Washington has not responded to the Iran-Oman joint statement, but beforehand it documented progress on the Hormuz problem.
• "Washington may be uncomfortable with aspects of Oman's diplomacy, but it also needs the channel Oman provides, " remarked Baaboud.

Iran and Oman are negotiating the opening of a temporary shipping corridor and the clearance of mines in the blockaded Strait of Hormuz. It both nations border.

They have yet to agree on the conditions for the waterway's reopening as the Middle East war nears the six-month mark, but discussions are ongoing.

Here's what we know regarding the latest negotiations between Tehran and Muscat.

Both countries sit on the strait crucial for the global oil and gas trade, and are trying to define the terms of a controlled resumption of shipping. It has been paralysed by Tehran since the US-Israeli attacks that began the war in late February.

In practice, a Pakistan-mediated memorandum of understanding signed between the US and Iran in mid-June provided for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and left it up to Tehran and Muscat "to define the future administration and maritime services" in the waterway, in discussion with Gulf states and in line with international law.

But the accord, which was supposed to pave the way for negotiations on permanently ending the war, has since fallen apart. Is there any progress?

In Tehran on Tuesday, the Iranian and Omani foreign ministers discussed a framework agreement that would establish a "temporary corridor" for shipping and a project to clear mines in the strait, according to a joint statement.

Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi remarked on X after the negotiations that he hoped the new corridor and "practical arrangements to restore safe navigation" would be confirmed "shortly".

He continued that "future management of the strait and a permanent solution will follow in due course".

While those leaving would employ Omani waters, iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, in an interview with local media, explained the proposed arrangement would see ships entering the Gulf pass through Iranian waters.

According to He additionally, if the plan with Oman was agreed upon, the two would have 30 to 60 days to hammer out a permanent route, adding that Iran's Revolutionary Guards were involved in the discussions and that the maps under discussion were drawn up by the armed forces.

For context, the Guards remarked on Wednesday that they had agreed in negotiations with Oman to share revenues earned from any fees imposed in the strait – an idea rejected by Washington. Why are discussions held up?

Tehran continues to create the full reopening of the strait conditional on US concessions, particularly as the US imposes a counter-blockade on Iranian ports.

"Before any action is taken to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the United States must fully implement all the commitments it has breached, " Gharibabadi cautioned Washington late on Tuesday.

"The Strait of Hormuz will only be reopened in exchange for an end to the war on all fronts, the lifting of the blockade and a resolution to the situation in Yemen."

As they focus on sovereignty, jurisdiction, the control of vessels and potential fees, as well as ensuring that any agreement complies with international law, experts say such negotiations are not a quick process.

Tehran links the full reopening of the strait to its standoff with Washington in the war, demanding the lifting of US sanctions, compensation for war damage and security guarantees.

Oman, for its part, is seeking to "separate freedom of navigation as much as possible from the wider conflict", with the two nations' different strategies "the real source of the delay", remarked Baaboud.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly asserted that the strait is under US control – a claim denied by Tehran – and threatened Oman with bombing if the sultanate were to "stand in the way" of the US's path through the waterway.

That has put Muscat in the awkward position of trying to maintain its role as an intermediary to Tehran, without giving the impression of full backing for Iranian control over Hormuz shipping for fear of risking its strategic relationship with Washington.

By calling for other nearby coastal Gulf states to be involved in the discussions, Muscat is trying to avoid giving the impression of a one-on-one accord with Tehran, he went on.

Meanwhile, the aim would be to achieve "a regional understanding in which freedom of navigation is guaranteed collectively", rather than relying on a permanent US military presence or Iran's ability to control the strait on its own. "That would be a very Omani outcome, " he remarked.

"Not a grand peace settlement, but a practical arrangement that removes reasons for confrontation and opens space for wider diplomacy."

Taken together, the developments around iran-Oman talks on Strait of Hormuz: What we know point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.