Iran-Oman: Hormuz Deal Nears, US Blockade Looms

Iran-Oman: Hormuz Deal Nears, US Blockade Looms

By Paul V. Young – TheNATIONWEEK.com August 6, 2026

BRISBANE, Australia – Iran announced a breakthrough in negotiations with Oman regarding a shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz, declaring that an agreement is in its “final stages.” This development comes amidst escalating tensions and significant disruptions to global oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) flows through the vital waterway.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei, while confirming the impending deal, cautioned that it would not automatically guarantee safe navigation. He asserted that security in the Strait remains compromised by the ongoing US naval blockade of Iranian ports and other “aggressive and threatening actions against Iran and its interests.” Neither the United States nor Oman has publicly commented on the proposed agreement.

The announcement follows months of severe disruption to maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. Since US-Israeli strikes on Iran in February, Tehran has largely impeded passage through the choke point, which typically handles approximately a fifth of the world’s oil and LNG.

US President Donald Trump issued a stark warning on Tuesday, stating that Iran would be “hit very hard” if the Strait did not reopen “very soon.” This warning coincided with reports from senior US officials indicating progress in talks that could lead to a resumption of shipments as early as this week. However, Iran consistently maintains that it is not negotiating with the US and has no intention of doing so.

Details on the agreed-upon route remain scarce, with Baqaei only stating that the “geographical coordinates of the route” had been finalized with Oman. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi later indicated that the new route would be a temporary measure, potentially open for two to four months.

The reopening of the Strait has been a central point of contention between Tehran and Washington, exacerbated by Iran’s demand to impose fees on vessels transiting the waterway. Iran reportedly seeks charges of 5% to 7% of cargo prices, while Oman is discussing a 3% fee, and Washington insists on no fees at all. The proposed deal would also grant Tehran control over ships entering the Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz.

Oil prices reacted with a slight dip on Thursday, with the global benchmark Brent crude down 0.3% at $79.24. Energy markets have experienced significant volatility throughout the conflict, directly impacted by the severe disruption to shipments through this critical maritime artery.

Since the war’s outset, traffic through the Strait has dwindled. Iran has enforced a policy requiring prior clearance for all passage and has attacked vessels that disregarded the order.

The ongoing US naval blockade of Iranian ports in the region, coupled with a separate blockade on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea ports by Iran-backed Houthis since July 20, further complicates the security landscape.

The conflict escalated dramatically on February 28 with wide-ranging US and Israeli strikes on Iran, to which Iran retaliated by attacking Israel and US-allied Gulf states, effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz. The initial attacks also resulted in the death of then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was succeeded by his son, Mojtaba Khamenei.

The younger Khamenei, reportedly wounded in the same strikes, has not appeared publicly since, leading to speculation about his condition and influence. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian acknowledged on Wednesday that communication with Khamenei was “difficult at the moment” but emphasized his “very great source of strength.” Despite his low public profile and absence from his father’s funeral, Pezeshkian insisted on productive meetings with him, describing them as characterized by “kindness and very sound logic.” He lamented that the current situation allowed “malicious people to describe him differently and to present a different image.”

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