Iran and Oman have reached an understanding on the geographic coordinates for a shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz. According to Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei, a joint announcement is being finalized, provided certain third parties do not interfere. This agreement is viewed as a potential step toward reopening the critical waterway for energy supplies.
The agreement on an acceptable route for ships would effectively ratify Tehran's control over the strategic waterway, where Iran has seized de facto control. Despite the progress with Oman, Baghaei noted that such a deal alone would not guarantee security in the waterway.
While Tehran claims the United States was not involved in the agreement, the US President has stated that negotiations with Iran are moving along very nicely. Disagreement persists between the two nations regarding whether they are negotiating, even as disruptions in the strait deepen global economic woes. It is suggested that the arrangement could potentially pave the way for peace talks between Tehran and Washington.