Daijiworld Media Network - Tehran
Tehran, Aug 4: Iran and Oman are in talks to establish a single two-way shipping corridor through the Strait of Hormuz to facilitate the safe passage of vessels through the strategic waterway, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said on Monday.
Speaking at a press briefing in Tehran, Baqaei said the proposal would replace the existing multiple shipping lanes with a single intermediate corridor that addresses the security and navigational concerns of both countries bordering the strait.
According to Iran's official news agency IRNA, the proposed arrangement would remain in place until Tehran and Muscat agree on a permanent replacement for the existing international Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS).
Oman's Foreign Ministry has not publicly commented on the reported negotiations.
If implemented, the plan could help restore maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy transit route that has remained largely closed since the February Israel-US strikes on Iran, with only limited ship movement since then.
Baqaei said the discussions were being held exclusively between Iran and Oman, dismissing claims that the United States was involved in the negotiations. He also rejected US President Donald Trump's assertion that Washington was engaged in talks with Tehran on reopening the strait.
The proposed corridor would replace the current TSS adopted by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in 1968 based on a joint proposal by Iran and Oman. The existing system consists of two-mile-wide shipping lanes in each direction separated by a two-mile buffer zone. The IMO has recently advised vessels to avoid the TSS because of reported sea mines in the area.
According to media reports citing unnamed US and Iranian officials, the proposed route would function like a highway, with inbound ships using a lane closer to the Iranian coast and outbound vessels travelling nearer the Omani side.
Baqaei, however, criticised an earlier US-backed proposal to route shipping exclusively through Omani waters, saying it conflicted with a June memorandum of understanding between Iran and the US and raised environmental and national security concerns.
The US Navy had previously escorted merchant vessels through Omani waters, but the arrangement was discontinued after several ships reportedly came under attack.
Media reports have also suggested Iran could levy a service fee on vessels using the route along its coastline without formally imposing a transit toll, which could conflict with international law. Baqaei did not directly respond to questions on the issue.