Oman FM visit to Tehran as Hormuz talks gain momentum

TEHRAN: Oman’s Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi is set to travel to Tehran on Tuesday for talks with Iranian officials, as diplomatic efforts intensify to address the tense situation surrounding the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Albusaidi’s visit would focus on continuing consultations between Iran and Oman over navigation through the waterway, which remains at the centre of wider regional tensions. The visit comes as Tehran and Muscat seek practical understandings on maritime traffic and regional stability.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy corridors, linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Any prolonged disruption to shipping through the narrow passage has the potential to affect global oil supplies, freight costs and energy markets.

The latest diplomatic push comes amid sharply reduced shipping activity. Reuters reported that fewer than 20 commodity vessels crossed the Strait over the weekend, with only four vessels recorded on Sunday and 13 on Saturday. Shipping activity during the week ending August 21 was estimated to be around 90 per cent below pre-conflict levels.

Against this backdrop, Iran has also granted permission for several Iraqi oil tankers to pass through the Strait following repeated requests from Baghdad. The move could provide limited relief for Iraqi oil shipments while highlighting the continuing importance of negotiations over maritime access.

Baghaei also said Pakistan’s army chief, who has been involved in mediation efforts between Washington and Tehran, was due to visit Tehran on Monday. The parallel diplomatic contacts underline growing regional efforts to prevent the Hormuz dispute from escalating further.

Oman has traditionally played a role in facilitating dialogue between Iran and Western powers. Its latest engagement comes as international attention remains fixed on whether the Strait can return to safer and more predictable commercial navigation.

For shipping companies, energy markets and governments across Asia and beyond, the stakes are high. The coming days could therefore prove crucial in determining whether diplomacy can restore confidence in one of the world’s busiest maritime chokepoints.