Iran-Oman agreement in the Strait of Hormuz

Iran and Oman have reached an agreement to establish a temporary maritime transit corridor in the Strait of Hormuz—a waterway critical to energy, trade, and the functioning of the global economy—and to continue negotiations regarding the future management of the strait. Within this framework, plans are in place to clear mines and establish a temporary route to ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels. It has also been stated that the two countries have determined basic principles regarding the sharing of transit revenues generated from the strait. However, the details of this matter have not yet been clarified.   

The Strait of Hormuz continues to serve as Iran's most important leverage in its power struggle with the US, and Iran uses the strait as a tool of pressure when necessary. Indeed, Mohsen Rezaee, Secretary of the Iranian Supreme National Security Council, warned countries that would participate in pressure and sanctions against Iran, stating that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz would continue. Such a step would not only negatively affect regional security but would also cause global energy and maritime trade to grind to a halt.

The statements made by Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi shed more light on the scope of the agreement. Accordingly, Iran and Oman appear to have agreed on a temporary transit route approximately 7 nautical miles wide. Gharibabadi announced that the southern corridor of the Strait of Hormuz has been closed and that, under the temporary arrangement, the entry route will be controlled by Iran and the exit route by Oman. He also stated that the two countries would determine a permanent route within 30 to 60 days.

According to Iran's statements, whether the strait will be opened depends solely on the US fulfilling its commitments. These commitments include conditions such as the US lifting sanctions and the naval blockade against Iran, compensating Iran for damages incurred during the war, and ending military operations against Iran and its allies in the region. Iran also demands an end to the regional war and the release of Iran's frozen assets.

The agreement between Iran and Oman also creates a new area of tension regarding relations between the US and Oman. This is because any serious disruption to maritime traffic in the strait directly affects global oil markets. Due to rising oil prices, many countries, including the US, have turned to using their strategic oil reserves. This situation shows that developments in the strait have gone beyond a regional security issue and are producing global economic consequences.

Why Oman?

Oman is a country that has long stood out for its neutrality in regional and global crises and has made its role as a mediator an important element of its foreign policy. For Iran, Oman is an actor that is both trusted and has hosted diplomatic processes that have yielded results in the past. Indeed, a significant portion of the indirect talks conducted between the US and Iran in 2024–2025 took place under Oman's mediation. For this reason, it is no coincidence that Oman has stepped in regarding the Strait of Hormuz. 

However, it would not be accurate to evaluate Oman's role solely through its diplomatic relations with Iran. Being a littoral state to the Strait of Hormuz, the security of maritime traffic in the strait, and the country's economic interests make Oman a direct party to developments in Hormuz. Therefore, Oman's primary priority is both to maintain its relations with Iran and to ensure that maritime traffic in the strait becomes safe again.

Background of the Agreement

There are three fundamental factors behind the agreement between Iran and Oman: geography, shared economic interests, and security necessity. The fact that both countries have coastlines on the Strait of Hormuz makes their direct role in regulations concerning the strait mandatory. Therefore, the establishment of a joint transit mechanism for Iran and Oman also demonstrates the forced cooperation necessitated by geography, despite their differing political priorities.

In conclusion, this step taken by Iran and Oman is important in terms of overcoming security and transportation problems in the Strait of Hormuz. However, whether a permanent solution will emerge depends not only on the cooperation between Iran and Oman but also on how the tension between the US and Iran takes shape.