Iran and Oman have agreed on a shipping route map for the Strait of Hormuz, but Iran says normal commercial traffic still depends on US action under the June memorandum.

Iran and Oman have reached an agreement on a shipping route map for the Strait of Hormuz after weeks of technical negotiations, marking a step towards safer maritime movement through one of the world’s most important energy corridors.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei confirmed the development on Saturday, saying the talks had progressed despite what Tehran described as US obstruction. However, the agreement does not amount to an immediate reopening of the waterway for unrestricted commercial shipping.

Tehran continues to link the restoration of normal maritime security to US action under a memorandum reached in June. The distinction is significant for international shipping, as the strait remains at the centre of the wider US-Iran confrontation.

Route Map Agreement Reached

Baghaei said Iran and Oman had made positive progress during the past three weeks and agreed on the shipping traffic map.

The negotiations began around three months ago after the two countries agreed to establish a framework for safer navigation. Foreign, defence, security and environmental authorities from Iran took part in the discussions.

Iranian officials said the technical process is not yet completely finished. Tehran and Muscat still need to settle the wording of a joint statement and other operational details before formally concluding the arrangement.

Tehran Stresses Sovereignty

Iran has presented the agreement as a bilateral navigation arrangement rather than a change in control of the Strait of Hormuz.

Baghaei said the proposed framework aims to facilitate safe vessel movement while respecting the sovereignty and sovereign rights of Iran and Oman.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has also stressed that the talks with Oman should not be interpreted as an agreement to reopen the strait. The navigation discussions and the broader question of reopening the waterway remain separate issues.

US Conditions Remain Central

The biggest obstacle remains the wider dispute between Tehran and Washington.

Iran says the full restoration of security and normal commercial traffic depends on an end to what it calls US military action, threats and the naval blockade.

The two sides had reached a memorandum in June that included commitments related to the cessation of hostilities, the Strait of Hormuz and the US naval blockade. However, the arrangement later collapsed, with Washington and Tehran accusing each other of failing to honour their commitments.

Shipping Traffic Still Limited

The route agreement therefore does not immediately restore normal maritime traffic.

Recent reports indicate that vessel movements through the Strait of Hormuz remain far below pre-conflict levels. Shipping companies continue to face security risks as tensions between Iran and the US remain unresolved.

The waterway carries a major share of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, making any prolonged disruption a concern for energy-importing countries.

US Blockade Adds Pressure

Washington has maintained pressure on Tehran through its naval blockade and economic measures.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said on August 13 that the United States had the capability to sustain the blockade indefinitely by rotating naval forces in the region. The announcement came as diplomatic efforts to revive the broader agreement showed little progress.

Iran, meanwhile, has continued to insist that Washington must meet its commitments before Tehran restores normal passage.

Global Energy Markets Watch

The uncertainty around Hormuz has wider consequences because the strait connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and provides a crucial route for energy exports from the Gulf.

Any sustained restriction can increase shipping costs, disrupt supply chains and place upward pressure on oil prices. Asian economies, which rely heavily on Gulf energy supplies, remain particularly exposed to prolonged disruption.

Japan has also urged Iran to support free and safe navigation through the waterway without additional costs, reflecting wider international concern over maritime access.

Reopening Depends On US

The Iran-Oman shipping route agreement represents progress on the technical side of maritime navigation, but it does not resolve the larger political dispute.

Tehran and Muscat still need to complete their discussions, while Iran continues to demand action from Washington under the June memorandum. With the US blockade still in place and broader US-Iran talks stalled, the future of the Strait of Hormuz will depend on whether the two sides can bridge their differences and restore conditions for regular commercial shipping.