Iran has resumed discussions with neighbouring Oman over a temporary navigational corridor through the Strait of Hormuz, as Tehran faces mounting economic pressure from the United States amid the wider conflict.
The two countries have held intermittent talks for several weeks on managing traffic through the strategically important waterway, which handled about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments before the conflict began in February.
Most shipping through the strait has remained suspended since the start of the conflict, raising concerns over energy supplies and adding pressure to global markets.
On Tuesday, Iran and Oman said they had discussed establishing a “joint temporary navigational corridor” through the waterway. Both sides also agreed to clear mines from the strait as part of efforts to make passage safer.
US President Donald Trump has separately claimed that all mines in the Strait of Hormuz have been cleared, while warning Iran against planting more.
Despite a significant reduction in active fighting between the US and Iran, efforts to reach a broader peace agreement have stalled. The continued uncertainty has also left shipping operators facing risks when navigating the strategic waterway.
The security concerns were highlighted on Tuesday when an oil tanker was hit by an unidentified projectile and disabled about nine nautical miles, or 17 kilometres, northeast of Ash Shishah in Oman, near the entrance to the strait, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations.
Meanwhile, tensions between Washington and Tehran remain high over sanctions. The United States has threatened to penalise countries that continue doing business with Iran as part of efforts to weaken the Iranian economy, although Washington said the penalties would not be imposed immediately.
Iran has condemned the US pressure campaign as an act of “gross lawlessness” and expressed confidence that many countries would refuse to participate in the measures.
Oil prices, meanwhile, fell for a second consecutive day as traders appeared to play down the immediate impact of the latest US sanctions.
The wider conflict has also taken a heavy human toll, with thousands of people reportedly killed, most of them in Iran and Lebanon. The US and Israel have also significantly weakened Iran’s conventional military capabilities, while the exact condition of the country’s nuclear programme remains uncertain.
