Iran has indicated it is nearing a final agreement with Oman on new shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz, but has tied the waterway's reopening to multiple US demands including financial compensation, lifting of sanctions, and removal of military threats.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated on Sunday that negotiations with Oman regarding the Strait of Hormuz have reached their "final stages." However, he emphasized that Tehran will not reopen the strategic shipping channel unless the United States addresses a list of preconditions. According to Iran's Mehr news agency, any agreement would outline new shipping lanes to be implemented only after the U.S. fulfills these conditions.
Iran's demands extend beyond sanctions relief. Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr, secretary of Iran's top national security body, outlined requirements including compensation for damage from U.S. attacks on Iranian territory, cessation of threats against Iran and its regional allies, removal of a U.S. naval blockade in the Gulf, and the release of frozen Iranian assets. Araqchi indicated that the two countries are not engaged in direct talks, with communications occurring instead through intermediaries. He cited Washington's breach of an interim agreement signed in June as a reason Tehran will not initiate formal negotiations.
A U.S. official told Reuters on condition of anonymity that the blockade on Iranian ports would be lifted once a deal restoring commercial shipping is announced, with U.S. actions contingent on Iran's implementation of its commitments. President Trump stated the U.S. was "low-keying" negotiations with Iran, characterizing current efforts as "semi-negotiating" while monitoring Iran's economic difficulties. The U.S. has previously stated that air strikes on Iran, conducted over five months ago, aimed to prevent nuclear weapons development and degrade regional threats.
The standoff has been punctuated by regional tensions, including reported attacks on shipping vessels and Houthi strikes against Saudi Arabian infrastructure. The United Arab Emirates alleged Iran attacked a ship affiliated with its state oil company, while Yemen-based Houthis claimed responsibility for attacking Saudi Aramco's Jazan refinery on Sunday. Saudi Arabia recently signed a defense pact with Turkey and Pakistan in response to regional instability.
