Doha, 06 August 2026

Iran has announced that it has reached an understanding with Oman on a proposed commercial shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz, marking a significant step in ongoing bilateral discussions over one of the world's most strategically important waterways. According to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei, both countries have agreed on the geographical coordinates of the navigation route, while a joint statement outlining the agreement is currently in its final stages of drafting and review.

The negotiations, which have continued for nearly two months, have focused on technical, legal, security, and environmental aspects of ensuring safe maritime navigation. Iranian officials emphasized that the discussions have been conducted exclusively between Tehran and Muscat, stressing that no third party has participated in the process. Oman, as the other coastal state bordering the Strait of Hormuz, has been working closely with Iran to establish a framework for secure commercial shipping.

Despite the reported progress, Iranian authorities cautioned that the bilateral understanding alone would not guarantee the safe reopening of the waterway. Baqaei argued that security challenges persist due to what Iran describes as the United States' naval blockade of Iranian ports and other military actions targeting Iranian interests. According to Tehran, these developments continue to pose risks to maritime security and remain the primary obstacle to fully restoring normal shipping operations.

Iran maintains that the Strait of Hormuz was disrupted following military actions by the United States and Israel earlier this year, which Tehran says prompted restrictions on navigation through the strategic passage. The waterway is one of the world's busiest energy transit routes, normally carrying around one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. The disruption has contributed to significant volatility in international energy markets.

Iranian officials have repeatedly stated that any future management of the Strait must protect the country's sovereign rights while preventing the waterway from being used in ways that could threaten its security. Baqaei also indicated that the shipping route currently under discussion would differ from both the previous northern and southern navigation channels, with a newly agreed route to be established through cooperation between Iran and Oman.

The announcement came as international attention remains focused on the future of the Strait of Hormuz. US President Donald Trump recently warned that Iran could face severe consequences if shipping through the waterway was not restored quickly. While US officials have suggested that discussions could lead to the resumption of commercial traffic, Iran has consistently maintained that it is not engaged in direct negotiations with Washington regarding the issue. Instead, Tehran has reaffirmed that its current priority is implementing a bilateral arrangement with Oman, while linking any broader reopening of the Strait to regional security conditions and changes in US military activities.

The Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported that United States Chargé d’Affaires to Pakistan, Natalie A. Baker, commended Pakistan's constructive role during the recent Gulf conflict and praised its diplomatic efforts to support regional peace and stability during a meeting with Federal Minister for Law, Justice and Human Rights, Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar, on Thursday, today.

The discussions focused on Pakistan-US bilateral relations, regional developments, and areas of mutual interest. Baker also acknowledged the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir in promoting regional stability. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation, including in the legal sector.