Iran and Oman Reach Understanding on Hormuz Strait Navigation Route Coordinates

Illustration of a ship in the Strait of Hormuz (Wikimedia Commons/U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Indra Beaufort)

JAKARTA - Iran and Oman have reached an understanding on geographical coordinates for a shipping route across the Strait of Hormuz, and a joint announcement is in the final stages of finalization, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Wednesday.

The proposed deal between Iran and Oman would give Tehran control over vessels entering the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz - one of the biggest concessions for Iran so far - a senior Iranian source and two regional officials told Reuters on Wednesday, as quoted by Al Arabiya (6/8).

Although this move appears to be an attempt to meet Iran's demands, these sources dismissed US President Donald Trump's statement that an agreement to reopen the strait would be reached soon; they stated that there were still important details to be agreed upon.

Baghaei described the negotiations between Tehran and Muscat as "professional" and "making progress," adding that "both sides have reached a common understanding on the geographical parameters of the route under discussion."