Iran, Oman say discussed temporary Hormuz corridor, mine-clearing

Iran and Oman's foreign ministers said on Tuesday they discussed a framework for a temporary transit corridor through the Strait of Hormuz, along with a mine-clearing project in the waterway both countries border. The strait became a flashpoint early in the Middle East war, and the two nations have recently sought to regulate transit through it, under a June US-Iran memorandum of understanding.

What did Iran and Oman agree on for the Strait of Hormuz?

Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi discussed a phased framework that could provide a practical and implementable basis for moving forward, according to a joint statement shared by Oman during talks in Tehran. The framework includes establishing a joint temporary navigational corridor through the strait and a joint project to clear it of mines. Technical negotiations will continue to determine a permanent navigational corridor, future administration of the strait and mechanisms for information-sharing, traffic management and navigational security services.

Albusaidi said in a post on X after the meeting that he hoped the countries would soon announce the temporary corridor. "Future management of the strait and a permanent solution will follow in due course," he said. Both sides said it was important to hold joint discussions with other states bordering the Gulf.

Why is the Strait of Hormuz still disrupted?

War broke out after the United States and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, with Tehran quickly blockading the Strait of Hormuz and Washington imposing a naval counter-blockade on Iranian ports. Traffic remains largely paralyzed, disrupting global oil markets in a waterway that normally carries around one fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas exports. Iran and Oman have been discussing the future of navigation through the strait for weeks, with Tehran saying the geographical coordinates of a proposed route have been agreed upon.

The announcement came as US President Donald Trump repeated claims on Truth Social that all mines have been removed or detonated from the international waters of the Strait of Hormuz, citing the US Navy. He said Iran had been notified that any ship placing new mines would be immediately destroyed, describing a zero tolerance policy on mine placement. Iranian officials, however, have insisted the strait will not fully reopen until the United States meets Tehran's demands, including lifting its naval blockade, dropping oil sanctions and unfreezing assets abroad.