Tehran and Muscat are nearing an agreement on a new maritime route through the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said Sunday, marking a potential breakthrough after Iran previously rejected an Omani proposal for joint regional management of the waterway.
Bilateral negotiations have reached their final stages, Baqaei said, aiming for a route acceptable to both sides that respects sovereign rights and protects national interests. He said the situation in the strait cannot return to pre-war conditions, accusing Washington of imposing an unsafe southern route in cooperation with regional parties. Currently, a northern corridor runs along Iran's coast and a southern one lies off Oman.
Oman's foreign minister confirmed talks last week with counterparts from Iran, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Egypt on a "fair agreement" for strait navigation. Baqaei added that Tehran has received assurances from European states that they do not intend to join any military action against Iran, and insisted national security remains non-negotiable and unaffected by U.S. threats. Oman had established a temporary toll-free corridor in late June with U.S. support, prompting Iranian attacks on vessels using the route and escalated U.S. strikes on Iranian territory.