Iran, Oman Discuss Temporary Shipping Corridor Through Strait Of Hormuz

Iran and Oman discussed plans to set up a temporary joint shipping corridor through the Strait of Hormuz and carry out a mine-clearing project in the waterway, as vessel traffic remains largely disrupted following months of conflict.

Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Tehran on Tuesday to discuss future arrangements for the strait, which is bordered by both countries.

The two ministers discussed a phased framework that could provide a “practical and implementable basis” for moving forward, according to a joint statement shared by Oman.

The proposed plan includes a temporary joint navigation corridor through the Strait of Hormuz and a joint project to clear mines from the waterway.

Albusaidi said after the meeting that he hoped Iran and Oman would “soon announce” the temporary corridor.

The Strait of Hormuz became a major flashpoint after war broke out between Iran and the United States and Israel. The conflict began after the United States and Israel attacked Iran on February 28.

Iran subsequently blockaded the strait, while Washington imposed a naval counter-blockade on Iranian ports. Shipping traffic through the waterway remains largely paralysed.

The Strait of Hormuz normally carries around one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas exports, making the disruption important for global energy markets and commercial shipping.

Talks on a Permanent Shipping Corridor

Iran and Oman have been discussing the future of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz for weeks. Their talks are being held under a provision in a memorandum of understanding signed by Washington and Tehran on June 17.

The agreement said Iran and Oman would hold discussions to define the future administration and maritime services in the strait.

Technical talks between Tehran and Muscat will continue with the aim of reaching an agreement on a permanent navigation corridor and future arrangements for managing the waterway, the joint statement said.

The discussions will also cover a mechanism for sharing information, managing vessel traffic and providing navigation and security services.

Iran has previously said that the geographical coordinates of a proposed route through the strait have been agreed upon.

However, Iranian officials have said the Strait of Hormuz will not fully reopen unless the United States meets Tehran’s demands, including lifting its naval blockade, removing oil sanctions and unfreezing Iranian assets abroad.

Mine-Clearing Plan

The proposed joint mine-clearing project was announced on the same day that U.S. President Donald Trump said all mines in the international waters of the Strait of Hormuz had been removed or detonated, citing the U.S. Navy.

Trump said in a post on Truth Social that Iran had been notified that any ship or boat placing new mines would be “immediately and systematically destroyed”. He added that a zero-tolerance policy on mine placement was in effect.

Different Routes for Shipping

The United States and Iran have supported different routes for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

The U.S. military has been protecting vessels using a southern route along Oman’s coast. U.S. Central Command has said more than 660 million barrels of crude oil have left the Strait of Hormuz under its protection since May.

Iran, however, has demanded that ships use a northern route through its territorial waters to transit the strait or risk coming under attack.

Commercial vessels have also faced recent security incidents in and around the waterway.

An oil tanker was struck by an unknown projectile and disabled near Oman on Monday, according to an incident report from the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Centre.

Two cargo ships were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz last week, resulting in the deaths of two sailors.

References: Al Jazeera, NDTV