A senior Iranian official told Iranian media that negotiations with Oman on a 'safe passage' framework in the Strait of Hormuz, including the collection of transit fees from ships, are continuing and progressing.
A senior Iranian official told Iranian media on Tuesday evening that negotiations with Oman on a 'safe passage' framework in the Strait of Hormuz — including the imposition of transit fees on vessels — are continuing and progressing. The statement, relayed by an Arabic-language news channel, marks the latest development in a day of intensive diplomatic signals.
Earlier today (Tue 08:05 Jerusalem), multiple reports emerged detailing the talks. i24NEWS, citing a source familiar with the negotiations, reported that the proposed arrangement includes Iranian access to the strait from its side followed by a mine-clearing operation, and that Iran has insisted any final agreement must also receive Washington's approval. The United States was described as 'much more' flexible than Oman. Separately, a senior Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran is demanding full control over all vessel entry and partial control over exit routes, with Oman required to notify Iran before any ship exits. The New York Times reported that the deal is near finalization, with vessels entering through Iranian waters and exiting near Oman, and that 'service fees' — not tolls — would be split equally between the two countries. The Wall Street Journal previously reported that Iran initially responded positively but later demanded guarantees against attacks on its territory and the lifting of oil sanctions. As The Zioneer reported on July 26, sources familiar with the talks indicated 'some progress' but uncertainty over whether Iran would accept Oman's proposed regional consortium with voluntary payment.
The Strait of Hormuz has been effectively closed to foreign shipping since March 2026, as The Zioneer reported on June 14, with Iran leveraging the closure as a key bargaining chip in regional negotiations. Background reporting by The Zioneer on June 23 detailed a proposed US-Iran liaison center for the strait and a $12 billion asset release framework, though those reports remain unverified by official sources.
Despite the flurry of reports, no deal has been confirmed. The Iranian demand for mandatory transit fees and its insistence on full or partial control of the waterway remain central sticking points. Official confirmation from Tehran, Muscat, or Washington has not yet been issued, and it remains unclear whether the reported progress represents a genuine breakthrough or a negotiating posture.
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