Vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, Aug. 24, 2026.
Stringer | Reuters
Iran and Oman on Tuesday discussed a proposal to establish a temporary joint shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz as well as a mission to clear mines from the key oil export corridor.
Oman’s Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Albusaidi said he was hopeful such a corridor through Hormuz and “practical arrangements to restore safe navigation” will be announced soon. He described talks with Iran’s top diplomat Seyed Abbas Araghchi in Tehran as constructive.
The proposed framework with Iran includes a joint project to clear the strait of mines, Oman’s Foreign Ministry said in a social media post after the diplomats’ meeting. Muscat and Tehran would continue talks to reach an agreement on a permanent corridor and administration system for the strait, the ministry said.
Oman’s reference to a mine clearing mission appeared to contradict President Donald Trump’s statement earlier Tuesday that the U.S. Navy informed him all mines had been removed from international waters in Hormuz.
The Iran-Oman talks come a day after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the U.S. would sanction any country that does business with the Islamic Republic. Trump threatened earlier this month to bomb Oman, a U.S. ally, if it “gets in the way.”
Iran and Oman are holding talks under a provision of the memorandum of understanding signed by Washington and Tehran on June 17. The MOU said Iran and Oman would hold talks to “define the future administration and maritime services” in Hormuz.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
