Iran, Oman discuss managing Strait of Hormuz shipping corridor

**Iran and Oman Hold Talks on Restoring Navigation Through the Strait of Hormuz**

*August 29, 2026 – Cairo/Dubai* – Iran and Oman have resumed discussions on how to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping, a waterway that has been largely blocked for nearly six months following the outbreak of hostilities in February.

The talks, which have been conducted intermittently over the past several weeks, focus on establishing a “joint temporary navigational corridor” and on the removal of naval mines that have been laid in the strait. Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said after a recent meeting with his Iranian counterpart that he is “hopeful we will soon announce a temporary corridor for the Strait of Hormus and practical arrangements to restore safe navigation.” He posted the comment on the social‑media platform X.

Before the conflict began on 28 February, the Strait of Hormuz handled roughly 20 percent of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. Since then, most commercial traffic has ceased as both Iran and the United States have imposed separate blockades and sought to control the strategic passage.

In a related development, the United States announced new sanctions aimed at countries that continue to trade with Iran. The sanctions, announced earlier this week, do not immediately take effect and notably exclude certain Chinese financial institutions that U.S. officials suspect of facilitating Iranian oil exports.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, speaking to Iran’s ambassador in Beijing, called for “stronger cooperation with China” in response to the U.S. pressure campaign, which Tehran described as “gross lawlessness.” Tehran also indicated that many nations may refuse to participate in the U.S. sanctions effort.

Oil markets reacted to the diplomatic activity, with Brent crude falling more than US$2 per barrel – its lowest level in two weeks – marking a third consecutive day of price declines.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told allies that Washington does not anticipate conducting additional strikes against Iran in the near term, opting instead to rely on other forms of pressure, according to a report by Axios.

The ongoing negotiations between Iran and Oman represent the most recent attempt to mitigate the economic and humanitarian impact of the strait’s closure, though a formal agreement on a temporary shipping corridor has not yet been announced.

Article and image source: iranherald.com