Iran and Oman Reach Understanding on Strait of Hormuz Routes on Sept. 13; Southern Passage Remains Closed

According to Iran's Tasnim news agency citing informed sources, Iran and Oman reached an understanding on Sept. 13 regarding maritime routes and transit arrangements in the Strait of Hormuz. Inbound routes to the Persian Gulf will be positioned entirely within Iranian territorial waters, and outbound routes will also be partially positioned within Iranian waters, with ships operating under Iranian arrangements.

The agreement does not mean the Strait of Hormuz is reopened. The southern maritime route, which the U.S. has insisted on reopening, will remain closed. Iran has submitted seven conditions for reopening the strait to the U.S. through intermediaries; the waterway will stay closed until these conditions are met and approved by Iran's highest-level authorities.