Iran and Oman have reached an agreement on new shipping route coordinates for vessels passing through the Hormuz Strait. However, details regarding Iran's control over the vessels remain unresolved, meaning a full opening of the strait has not been confirmed.
On August 5, Esmail Baghaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, stated, "We have agreed on the geographical coordinates of the proposed route," adding that a joint statement outlining key considerations and agreements between the two countries is in the final review stage.
Over the past two months, Iran and Oman have been discussing technical, legal, security, and environmental issues to establish a safe passage for commercial vessels in the Hormuz Strait.
With the introduction of the new route, it is expected that a significant portion of the shipping lanes will pass through Iranian territorial waters. Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, explained, "Once the new navigation method is implemented, a substantial part of the shipping route will traverse Iranian territorial waters."
However, Gharibabadi emphasized that this agreement does not imply a complete opening of the Hormuz Strait. The routes currently under discussion are temporary measures until a long-term navigation method is established.
According to Reuters, the provisional agreement includes provisions for vessels entering the Gulf region to utilize Iranian routes, with Iran managing the passage of these vessels. However, the specifics of how Iran's control will be defined and the extent of Iran's involvement with vessels exiting the Gulf are still under negotiation.
Issues regarding vessel inspections and the imposition of navigation fees are also remaining points of contention.
Baghaei asserted, "The U.S. maritime blockade and military threats continue to exist," and stated that the agreement between Iran and Oman alone cannot fully guarantee the safety of vessels.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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