Iran nears Oman deal on Strait of Hormuz but sets six conditions for US before reopening

Negotiations with Oman

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Saturday that Iran and Oman are "very close" to an agreement on a new maritime route through the Strait of Hormuz. The previous Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) is no longer acceptable to Tehran, and the two countries are negotiating a temporary route while technical and legal aspects of a permanent route are resolved. Oman's foreign ministry described the talks as "positive and constructive" but condemned repeated attacks on ships transiting the strait without attributing blame. An anonymous US official said Friday that Washington expects an agreement soon between Iran and Oman so that normal oil traffic can resume.

Iran's six conditions

Despite progress with Oman, Iran conditioned the strait's reopening on six demands directed at the United States. Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council and a Revolutionary Guards veteran, listed the requirements: lifting the naval blockade, ending sanctions, unfreezing Iranian assets, paying compensation for damages from what he called "two imposed wars," ceasing threats against Iran, and stopping military operations against Iran and its regional allies in Lebanon, Palestine, Yemen, and Iraq, including withdrawal of US forces deployed around the country.

Until America corrects its behavior, the Strait of Hormuz will not be reopened.

Zolqadr said these demands reflect 160 days of continuous public presence on the streets and insisted the institution "will never yield," neither militarily nor in negotiations. Araqchi separately linked reopening to US compensation for violations of a memorandum signed on June 17, citing US attacks on Iranian territory in July and the reimposition of a naval blockade on Iranian ports and ships.

Continued violence in the strait

The United Arab Emirates announced Saturday that Iranian forces struck a ship affiliated with the UAE's state oil company with a missile while it transited the strait. A second ship caught fire after being hit by a projectile. Oman urged all parties to avoid actions that could undermine the negotiations, emphasizing the importance of preserving progress in a manner that takes into account the interests of all parties.

US weighs its options

The White House is weighing its next steps in the conflict with Iran, according to CNN. Three sources familiar with the situation said General Dan Caine, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, believes the war has reached a crossroads and is seeking an exit. Caine has discussed prospects for the war with several advisers to President Donald Trump in recent weeks, as military escalation options could backfire against the US and the air force alone has limited chances of achieving the White House's stated objectives.

Broader context

The war began with US and Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28, leading Tehran to impose strict control over the strait, through which approximately one-fifth of global oil and gas transport previously flowed. The closure has generated an international energy crisis. President Masoud Pezeshkian said he believes this is the most appropriate moment for an agreement.

There is cohesion, strength and unity in the country and, as far as I know, Iran is considered victorious and strong in this war.

Revolutionary Guards spokesman General Hossein Mohebi also said Saturday that reopening the strait depends on the US fully accepting Iran's conditions and ending interference in the regional negotiation process between Iran and Oman.