Iran and Oman Near Agreement to Control Strategic Strait of Hormuz Shipping Route

Iran and Oman are reportedly finalizing a significant agreement that could grant them practical control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a crucial maritime passage in the Middle East. According to a Tuesday report by The New York Times, the deal would establish designated shipping lanes within the strait: vessels entering the Gulf would use a northern route near Iran's coast, while those exiting would take a southern route close to Oman. The agreement is also expected to introduce fees for ships passing through, described by Iranian officials not as tolls but as "service charges" to cover tanker security and environmental impact costs. Revenue from these charges would be split equally between Iran and Oman.

U.S. officials have rejected Iran's claims, emphasizing that any temporary shipping lanes in the strait would not require Iran's approval nor include payment demands. Iran insists that since the outbreak of the ongoing war, the Strait of Hormuz will no longer function as an international waterway open to free passage. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that allowing one country to control an international waterway and impose fees could set a dangerous global precedent. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump commented that the strait could reopen "as soon as tomorrow," noting that reopening the passage is the first step before addressing nuclear disarmament.

This potential agreement marks a dramatic development in Middle Eastern geopolitics, as control over the Strait of Hormuz has significant implications for global oil shipments and regional security. The situation remains tense, with the U.S. firmly opposing Iran's claims to sovereignty over the strait and the imposition of fees on international shipping.