Iran and Oman have reached an agreement on a new shipping lane in the Strait of Hormuz, according to reports. The agreement follows the completion of a draft framework earlier Wednesday, as reported by The Associated Press and covered by The Zioneer.
Iran and Oman have officially reached an agreement on a new shipping lane in the Strait of Hormuz, according to reports from Israeli media Wednesday evening. The development marks the culmination of a day of rapid diplomatic movement, during which the two countries moved from a draft framework to a finalized arrangement.
Earlier Wednesday, the Associated Press reported that Iran and Oman had completed a draft 60-day interim agreement to reopen the strait, pending approval from Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Throughout the day, Iranian officials confirmed successive stages of the talks: agreement on the geographical coordinates of the lane (07:20 Jerusalem), on the passage route itself, and finally a joint statement expected shortly. A regional diplomat told i24NEWS that the announcement is scheduled for Thursday. The source quality evolved from regional sources cited by AP to direct official statements from Tehran.
As The Zioneer reported previously, the proposed framework envisions inbound vessels using a northern lane in Iranian waters while outbound traffic coordinates with Tehran through Omani waters, alongside a 30-day mine-clearing operation. The arrangement is part of a broader diplomatic effort that may pave the way for renewed US-Iran nuclear talks, and follows earlier reports of Iran seeking to formalize its oversight of the strategic waterway, through which roughly one-fifth of global oil passes.
It remains unclear whether the agreement has received final approval from Iran's Supreme Leader, and whether the planned Thursday announcement will proceed as indicated. Iranian officials have repeatedly warned against potential disruption by a 'third party,' leaving the full implementation uncertain.
18 developments
- DevelopingIranian Foreign Ministry: Shipping in Strait of Hormuz governed by end-of-war memorandum with Oman
- StrongIran says talks with Oman on managing Strait of Hormuz continue
- StrongIran: Strait of Hormuz management is solely Iran and Oman's responsibility, toll collection continues
- DevelopingIran and Oman announce joint management company for Strait of Hormuz
Source and signal
- Open-source intake