Iran says close to Hormuz plan with Oman, but reopening depends on US

Iran and Oman have agreed on a shipping route for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz and are finalising arrangements for jointly managing the strategic waterway, Tehran said on Wednesday, signalling progress towards reopening one of the world's most critical energy corridors despite persistent security concerns.

The proposed arrangement marks a significant step towards restoring commercial navigation through the strait, although Iranian officials stressed that any broader easing of tensions would still depend on the United States ending what Tehran describes as its naval blockade of Iranian ports.

Iran has exercised de facto control over the Strait of Hormuz since the United States and Israel launched military operations against the country on February 28. Since then, Tehran has warned that it would challenge vessels using routes it considers unauthorised.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly said Iran is interested in reaching an agreement to reopen the waterway. Tehran, however, has denied holding such negotiations with Washington, saying any future arrangements would instead be coordinated with neighbouring Oman.

"The geographical coordinates of the route envisaged by the two sides have been agreed upon and, if certain third parties do not obstruct the process, the joint statement of the two countries, containing the main considerations and points of agreement, is also in the final review and drafting stage," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei was quoted by state news agency IRNA as saying.

Baqaei told reporters that discussions with Oman were progressing steadily but cautioned that a bilateral agreement alone would not make the waterway fully secure for international shipping.

"The factors making the Strait of Hormuz insecure still exist on the part of the United States, particularly the naval blockade and other aggressive and threatening actions against Iran and its interests," he said.

Fresh security incidents underscored the continuing risks in the region.

Britain's maritime security agency, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), said the captain of an oil tanker reported hearing two explosions while sailing through the strait, about nine nautical miles (17 kilometres) southeast of Kumzar, Oman. The vessel and its crew were reported safe, and no damage was immediately confirmed.

Separately, Yemen's Houthi movement claimed responsibility for missile attacks on two Saudi oil tankers, saying the vessels were the eighth and ninth targeted since the group announced a blockade of Saudi shipping last month.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said missiles struck the tanker Wafa off the Saudi port of Yanbu in the northern Red Sea and the tanker Daisy in the Gulf of Aden. Saudi authorities did not immediately comment on the claims.

Before the conflict, the Strait of Hormuz handled roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, making it one of the world's most strategically important maritime chokepoints. Disruptions to shipping through the passage have repeatedly driven up global energy prices, increasing economic and political pressure on Washington and its allies.

US Vice President JD Vance acknowledged that any diplomatic breakthrough with Tehran would likely take time, citing divisions within Iran's political leadership.

"It's going to be messy and it's going to take some time to get there," Vance said in an interview with Fox News broadcast on Wednesday.

"The reality is that, number one, the Iranians are extraordinarily difficult people. Number two, they have a fractured system," he added.

Since imposing what it describes as tighter control over the waterway, Iran has instructed ships to follow routes closer to its coastline. However, many commercial vessels have continued to use the southern passage near Oman's coast, where several have reportedly come under attack in recent months.

Iran has also expressed its intention to regulate traffic through the strait and levy transit tolls—powers it did not exercise before the conflict and a move likely to face strong opposition from the United States.

In recent weeks, Trump has alternated between threatening military action against Iran, including possible strikes on civilian infrastructure, and suggesting that a diplomatic breakthrough could be imminent. Tehran, however, continues to deny that negotiations with Washington are under way.