Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei announced on Monday, 17 August that Iran and Oman have reached agreement on the map of a new maritime traffic route through the Strait of Hormuz. The announcement came during Baghaei's weekly press conference in Tehran, marking a significant step in ongoing bilateral negotiations over safe passage through one of the world's most strategically critical waterways.

State of the Agreement

According to Baghaei, the two countries are now working to finalise the agreement as a package comprising both the agreed map and a joint statement. He noted that both sides are actively exchanging views on the text of the joint statement, with the shared objective of developing a mechanism capable of safeguarding their respective interests, addressing mutual concerns, and accounting for considerations relevant to international shipping.

Baghaei attributed delays in concluding the process to the complexity of the issue, what he described as 'the number of the players' seeking to influence the negotiations, and 'attempts by certain malicious parties' to obstruct progress.

Iran-US Nuclear Deal Deadline Passes

Separately, Baghaei addressed the status of the Iran-US memorandum of understanding signed on 18 June, under which both countries were scheduled to hold negotiations on Tehran's nuclear programme and the removal of sanctions within a 60-day window — a deadline that expired on Monday. Baghaei said the negotiations never commenced, placing responsibility squarely on what he characterised as 'flagrant and extensive violations' of the deal by the United States.

Iran's Sharp Warning on Strait Control

The Hormuz developments are unfolding against a backdrop of escalating rhetoric. On Saturday, Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran's deputy foreign minister for legal and international affairs, posted on X in direct response to a claim by US President Donald Trump, who had reportedly stated he would soon declare the strait a US territory.

Gharibabadi was unequivocal: '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.' He added, 'This strait will only be closed and opened under Iran's command.'

Why the Strait of Hormuz Matters

The Strait of Hormuz is the world's single most important oil chokepoint, with roughly 20% of global petroleum liquids transiting the waterway annually, according to energy data. Any disruption — or even credible threat of disruption — has immediate consequences for global oil prices and energy security. The Iran-Oman route-mapping exercise is widely seen as an attempt to establish a mutually recognised framework that could reduce the risk of maritime incidents in the strait.

Notably, this is not the first time Iran and Oman have served as back-channel interlocutors on sensitive regional matters — Muscat has historically played a quiet diplomatic role between Tehran and Western powers. The current route agreement, if finalised, would represent a rare instance of formalised maritime cooperation in a region where tensions remain elevated.

What Happens Next

With the Iran-US nuclear talks deadline now lapsed and no negotiations having taken place, the diplomatic calendar ahead looks uncertain. On the Hormuz front, both Tehran and Muscat are expected to continue exchanging drafts of the joint statement. The pace of finalisation will likely depend on whether external pressures — including US posturing over the strait — complicate or accelerate the bilateral process.