Iran and Oman near finalizing 60-day Hormuz reopening draft: inbound route off Iran's coast, outbound via Omani waters

According to a Wall Street Journal report published Wednesday, August 5, 2026, Iran and Oman are finalizing a draft agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Under the draft, valid for 60 days, ships entering the Persian Gulf would use a route closer to Iran's coast in coordination with Tehran, while outbound vessels would use a route through Omani waters coordinated with Muscat. The two sides have agreed on the draft's core principles and shared the text with the United States, regional states and Iran's top leadership, though final approval from Iran's senior officials is still pending. Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei told reporters the same day that Iran and Oman have agreed to establish a safe route through the strait and are finalizing the general framework. The draft rules out Iran collecting tolls or transit fees from ships, though Tehran may still receive voluntary contributions to cover costs such as security and search and rescue operations. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi cautioned that a deal with Oman would not necessarily mean the waterway reopens, unless the United States accepts conditions that have not been disclosed.