Iran, Oman Near Deal on Safe Route Through Strait of Hormuz
Iran and Oman are finalizing a temporary safe route through the Strait of Hormuz, crucial for global oil shipments.
New video footage from Tuesday shows vessels anchored in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Bandar Abbas, Iran's key port city on the strategic waterway. The imagery comes as Tehran announced it is finalizing an agreement with Oman to establish a temporary "safe" route through the strait, which is vital for global oil and natural gas shipments.
Bandar Abbas has long depended on the sea, with the nearby Shahid Rajaee port ranking among Iran's largest commercial hubs. The port has an annual cargo handling capacity of 100 million metric tons, according to Iranian state media.
Before the war began in late February, roughly one-fifth of the world's oil passed through the Strait of Hormuz. However, ship traffic has fallen sharply below pre-war levels due to the risk of attack for vessels that do not comply with Iran's vetting regime near its coastline — a stark contrast to the unhindered navigation that once prevailed.
The United States has been escorting ships through the strait to protect them from Iranian missile and drone attacks, while also enforcing a naval blockade on Iranian ports. Reopening the waterway fully has become a primary goal for the U.S. administration, as the strait remains a key pressure point in the conflict.