Iran and Oman discuss temporary shipping corridor through Strait of Hormuz

Iran and Oman are discussing a proposal to establish a temporary joint shipping corridor through the Strait of Hormuz one of the world’s most important routes for oil and gas shipments.

Iran and Oman are discussing a proposal to establish a temporary joint shipping corridor through the Strait of Hormuz one of the world’s most important routes for oil and gas shipments.

The proposal was discussed during a meeting in Tehran between Omani Foreign Minister Badr Al-Busaidi and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. A joint statement described their talks as constructive and said both sides discussed developments surrounding the strategic waterway.

The discussions come as tensions remain high between Iran and the United States. US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that mines had been removed or destroyed in international waters around the Strait of Hormuz. He warned that any vessel found placing new mines would face immediate military action.

Trump also said the United States was closely monitoring the waterway and maintained a zero-tolerance policy toward further mine placement.

The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial global energy route with roughly one-fifth of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas flows passing through it before the conflict. Shipping activity has fallen sharply during the current crisis, with only two commodity vessels reportedly using the waterway on Monday.

Iran has also communicated its position on the strait through Pakistan. Iranian officials reportedly want provisions of an earlier Islamabad memorandum to be implemented including arrangements requiring safe passage for commercial shipping and consultation with Oman over the waterway’s future management.

Meanwhile, Washington has expanded economic pressure on Tehran. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced additional sanctions targeting Iranian individuals entities and vessels warning that countries continuing to support Iran’s economy could face consequences.

China has criticized the new US measures saying unilateral sanctions could disrupt global economic and financial stability. Beijing is a major buyer of Iranian oil and has urged Washington and Tehran to return to negotiations.

The United States has also warned that military action against Iran remains possible. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said Washington would use military force if necessary and did not rule out further strikes around Iran or the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran, meanwhile, has promised to respond to the expanded sanctions and warned that threats to its infrastructure could trigger attacks against US interests and regional energy routes.

The diplomatic discussions involving Iran, Oman and Pakistan could therefore become important for restoring commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. However, continued military threats, sanctions and tensions between Tehran and Washington remain major obstacles to a lasting agreement.