Iran Says Agreement Reached with Oman on New Maritime Route Through Strait of Hormuz

Tehran, August 17, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)

Iran and Oman have agreed on a map for a new maritime route through the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday, as the two countries continue discussions on establishing a safe passage for shipping through the strategic waterway.

Speaking at his weekly press conference in Tehran, Baghaei said the agreement would be finalised as a package comprising the agreed route map and a joint statement, Xinhua News Agency reported.

He attributed the delay in completing the process to the complexity of the issue, the number of parties seeking to influence it and what he described as attempts by “certain malicious parties”.

Baghaei said Tehran and Muscat remained committed to the discussions and were continuing to exchange views on the wording of the joint statement. According to the spokesman, both sides are seeking a mechanism that protects their respective interests, addresses their concerns and takes into account international shipping requirements.

The development comes amid heightened attention to the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s key maritime routes.

Baghaei also commented on an Iran-US memorandum of understanding signed on June 18. He said the agreement had envisaged negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme and the lifting of sanctions within 60 days, a period that ended on Monday.

However, he said the talks never began, attributing the failure to what he described as “flagrant and extensive violations” of the agreement by the United States.

Separately, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi said on Saturday that control over the opening and closing of the Strait of Hormuz rested with Iran.

Gharibabadi made the remarks on X in response to a statement by US President Donald Trump that he would soon declare the strait US territory.

“The Strait of Hormuz can be captured neither with a tweet and aircraft carriers nor by issuing orders and a stump speech. Iran is neither afraid of threats nor intimidated by displays of power,” Gharibabadi said.

“This strait will only be closed and opened under Iran’s command,” he added.