Iran says new Hormuz shipping route agreed with Oman

Iran and Oman have agreed a route for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, Tehran's foreign ministry said Wednesday, as the two countries finalize a joint statement on jointly managing the passage. Iran has held de facto control of the strait since the United States and Israel went to war with the country on February 28.

What has Iran agreed with Oman on the Hormuz route?

Iran and Oman have agreed the geographic coordinates for a new shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz. A joint statement setting out the main terms of the arrangement is in its final drafting stage, according to foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei. The agreement would see the two countries jointly manage the passage.

What did Iran's foreign ministry say about the talks?

Baqaei said the coordinates for the route had been settled, and that the joint statement was under final review, provided no other party disrupted the process. He was speaking to journalists in comments carried by state news agency IRNA. Baqaei added that talks with Oman were continuing to progress.

Is the Strait of Hormuz safe for shipping now?

Baqaei said an agreement with Oman would not by itself make the strait safe for all passing vessels. He said the factors that had made Hormuz insecure remained in place, pointing to what he described as a US naval blockade and other hostile actions against Iran and its interests.

Why does the Hormuz route matter for global trade?

The Strait of Hormuz carried around a fifth of the world's oil and LNG exports before the war. Prices have surged repeatedly since the dispute over the waterway began, adding economic and political pressure on Washington to bring the conflict to an end.

What has President Trump said about a Hormuz deal?

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly said Iran wants a deal to reopen the strait to shipping. Iran denies this and says it is instead making separate arrangements directly with Oman, the neighboring country across the strait, rather than negotiating a reopening with Washington.