Tehran and Muscat seek temporary shipping corridor in Strait of Hormuz
Iran and Oman are negotiating a framework for a temporary corridor to resume shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, which has been blockaded since late February. The two countries have discussed mine clearance and future administration of the waterway, but key issues such as jurisdiction and costs remain unresolved. A joint statement from their foreign ministries indicates talks are ongoing, though no final agreement has been announced.
The proposed corridor would split traffic by direction, with inbound vessels transiting Iranian waters and outbound ships using Omani waters. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi indicated that if approved, the two nations would have 30 to 60 days to finalize a permanent route, with maps drafted by Iran's armed forces and Revolutionary Guards participating in negotiations.
Revenue sharing from potential strait fees has been discussed between Tehran and Muscat, though Washington has rejected this concept. Tehran maintains that full reopening depends on US compliance with prior commitments, including lifting the counter-blockade on Iranian ports and resolving the situation in Yemen, reflecting the broader entanglement of the waterway's status with the ongoing war.
A temporary Hormuz corridor could ease global energy price pressures and restore supply chains that have been disrupted since late February, benefiting shipping firms, insurers, and oil-dependent economies. However, the unresolved questions of jurisdiction, fees, and US involvement mean the arrangement may remain fragile or delayed. Regional populations and international markets could see either gradual stabilization or continued uncertainty depending on whether talks produce a workable framework.