DUBAI, Aug 5 - Iran and Oman have arrived at a mutual understanding on the specific geographic coordinates for a shipping corridor through the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on Wednesday.
Baghaei characterized the discussions between Tehran and Muscat as "professional" and "moving forward," adding that "the two sides had reached a mutual understanding on the geographical parameters of the route under discussion." He said a joint statement setting out the main considerations and key points of that understanding was in the final stages of review and drafting, provided that certain third parties did not obstruct the process.
At the same time, Baghaei warned that any bilateral agreement between Iran and Oman would not, on its own, guarantee security in the strategically important waterway. That caveat was reiterated in his comments on the limits of what a coordinates agreement could achieve for broader maritime safety and security.
Separately, a senior Iranian source and two regional officials told Reuters that the proposed arrangement would grant Tehran control over ships entering the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz. Those sources described the potential deal as one of the most significant concessions to date in discussions surrounding the route.
Despite this reported move toward accommodating Iranian demands, the same sources pushed back against public assertions by U.S. President Donald Trump that a deal reopening the strait was imminent, saying material details remained unresolved and still required agreement.
The negotiators' emphasis on finalizing a joint statement underscores that, while coordinates have been agreed in principle, formalizing the arrangement depends on completing the drafting and on avoiding interference from external actors. The officials' comments also highlight a distinction between reaching a technical understanding on geography and achieving verifiable security outcomes for passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
Key context and next steps:
- The two governments have a shared understanding on the geographical parameters of a proposed route.
- A joint announcement is being prepared but remains contingent on the absence of obstruction by third parties.
- Sources indicate the deal would grant Iran control over vessels entering the Gulf via the Strait, while officials note that important implementation details are still outstanding.