Iran, Oman agree on new Hormuz routes, entry point lies entirely in Iranian waters: Report

Iran and Oman have reportedly reached an agreement on new entry and exit routes for the Strait of Hormuz, with the country set to brief other Gulf nations on the outcome at a meeting in Muscat on Monday. According to a report by Tasnim news agency, citing a source close to Iran’s negotiating team, the agreement was reached after "intensive technical and diplomatic talks" in late August.

The new routes would see the entry route lying entirely within Iran’s territorial waters, while part of the exit route would also fall within Iranian territorial waters. The United States had previously insisted on opening the southern route, but the agreement does not mean the Strait will be opened. Iran has seven conditions for reopening the waterway and has conveyed them to the United States.

The southern route would be closed once the new arrangement is implemented. The specifics of the understanding would be presented to the Persian Gulf littoral states at the meeting in Muscat, but they will only be briefed on the outcome of the Iran-Oman negotiations.