Iran and Oman negotiate temporary Hormuz shipping lane and mine-clearing plan

Iran and Oman’s foreign ministers met in Tehran on Aug 25 and presented a phased framework aimed at establishing a temporary navigational corridor through the Strait of Hormuz, alongside a joint mine-clearing project. The proposal includes future negotiations on a permanent route, information-sharing mechanisms, and provision of navigation and security services, with the expectation that neighboring Gulf states will also take part.

Omani minister Badr Albusaidi expressed hope that the corridor would be announced soon, while Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi highlighted the practical basis of the plan. The discussion follows a June US-Iran memorandum of understanding on transit regulation and comes as the strait remains largely blocked after the war that began with US and Israeli attacks on Iran. At the same time, US President Donald Trump reiterated on social media that the US Navy has removed all mines from the international waters of the strait and warned of a zero-tolerance policy for any new placements.