Iran Says Agreement Reached With Oman to Resume Shipping Through Strait of Hormuz

Tehran: Iran has announced that it has reached an agreement with Oman to resume maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the two countries have agreed on the geographical boundaries of the new shipping route and that the agreement is in its final stages.

However, Baghaei warned that the United States must lift what he described as "unjust sanctions" on Iranian ports to ensure the safe resumption of shipping through the strategic waterway.

Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz in February after the United States-Israel alliance launched military attacks against the country. The closure disrupted one of the world's most important energy corridors, through which nearly one-fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies pass, leading to a sharp increase in international crude oil prices.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump on Tuesday again warned that Iran would face severe consequences if the Strait of Hormuz was not reopened soon. His remarks came after senior US officials said last week that discussions on restoring shipping through the waterway were making progress. Despite these developments, Iran has maintained that it is not prepared to hold any negotiations with the United States.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said the newly agreed shipping route with Oman would be temporary and is expected to remain operational for two to three months. Most of the route passes through Iranian waters, while the remaining section lies within Omani territory.

Iran has also indicated that, once the agreement is finalised, it will levy a transit fee of 5 to 7 per cent on vessels using the route. Oman is also expected to impose a separate transit fee of around 3 per cent.