Iran announces agreement with Oman on Hormuz, but says reopening depends on US

Iran announced Wednesday it has reached an agreement with Oman on a new transit route for ships in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway at the center of tensions with the United States. However, Iran stated that any reopening of this key maritime route for hydrocarbon transit, which Tehran has blocked, will depend on Washington's actions. The US has imposed a blockade on Iranian ports.

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The geographical coordinates of the route planned by both parties have been agreed upon.

"The geographical coordinates of the route planned by both parties have been agreed upon," said Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqai, according to the state news agency IRNA. He specified that Iran and Oman are working on a "joint declaration," provided that "third parties do not hinder the process."

Since hostilities with the United States resumed in early July, Tehran has again blocked the strategic strait, through which one-fifth of the world's hydrocarbon trade passed before the war. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed that Tehran wants to reach an agreement to reopen this route to navigation, but Iran has denied this, asserting it will instead reach a pact with its neighbor across the strait, Oman.

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provided that 'third parties do not hinder the process.'

US Vice President JD Vance acknowledged on Fox News Wednesday that negotiations with Iran have been uneven, with the Trump administration experiencing both progress and setbacks. "It's going to be complicated and take time to achieve," he admitted. Vance attributed these difficulties to divisions within the Iranian leadership, where some officials desire an end to the conflict, while "crazy radicals" want it to continue. "First, the Iranians are extremely difficult people. Second, their system is fragmented," Vance stated.

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It's going to be complicated and take time to achieve.

According to Baqai, talks with Muscat are progressing. However, even if an agreement is reached, it would not mean the passage is risk-free, as "the factors that make the Strait of Hormuz insecure still exist on the part of the United States." He mentioned the naval blockade imposed by Washington in retaliation for Tehran's blockage of the strait, and "other aggressive and threatening actions against Iran and its interests."

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First, the Iranians are extremely difficult people. Second, their system is fragmented.