Iran and Oman’s foreign ministers discussed on Tuesday a framework for establishing a temporary navigation corridor through the Strait of Hormuz, along with a joint project to clear mines from the strategic waterway.
The discussions come as Tehran and Muscat seek to establish arrangements governing maritime traffic through the strait under the terms of a U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding, following the waterway’s emergence as a major flashpoint in the Middle East conflict.
Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held talks in Tehran, where they discussed a phased framework designed to provide a practical basis for moving forward, according to a joint statement released by Oman.
The proposed framework includes the creation of a joint temporary navigational corridor through the Strait of Hormuz and an agreement to launch a joint operation to clear mines from the waterway.
Talks on a Permanent Corridor
The two sides said technical negotiations would continue to establish a permanent navigation corridor and determine future arrangements for administering the strait.
The discussions will also address mechanisms for information sharing, traffic management, and the provision of navigation and security services.
Iran and Oman stressed the importance of holding consultations with other countries bordering the waters of the Gulf as efforts continue to establish a stable system for maritime navigation.
Trump Claims Strait Has Been Cleared of Mines
The announcement came as U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated on Truth Social that, according to the U.S. Navy, all mines in international waters of the Strait of Hormuz had been removed or detonated.
Trump also warned Iran against placing additional mines, saying any vessel involved in laying new mines would be targeted and destroyed, while emphasizing what he described as a “zero tolerance” policy on mine placement.
Strait of Hormuz Remains Key to Global Energy Markets
The conflict erupted after the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28. Tehran subsequently moved to blockade the Strait of Hormuz, while Washington imposed a naval counter-blockade on Iranian ports.
Maritime traffic through the strait remains severely disrupted, affecting global oil markets. The waterway is a critical energy route, normally carrying roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas exports.
Iran and Oman, which both border the strait, have been discussing the future of navigation through the waterway for several weeks. Iranian officials have said the geographical coordinates of a proposed route have already been agreed upon.
However, Tehran has maintained that the strait will not fully reopen until the United States addresses a number of its demands, including lifting the naval blockade, removing oil sanctions and unfreezing Iranian assets held abroad.
