Report: Iran, Oman Near Deal to Reopen Strait of Hormuz With "Service Fee" Collection
By garrisonvance // 2026-08-05
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Iran and Oman are close to an agreement to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz to shipping traffic, according to the New York Times (NYT), which cited Iranian and U.S. officials familiar with the developing accord. Under the reported arrangement, ships entering the strait from the Indian Ocean via the Gulf of Oman would be required to take a route through Iranian territorial waters, while vessels exiting from the Persian Gulf would take a route near Oman's coast along the south side of the strait. Both countries would collect a so-called "service fee" to cover environmental and security costs, officials said. Both Muscat and Tehran are reportedly closing in on the aforementioned deal, which would give Iran control over ships entering the strait, according to The War Zone [1]. The reports came as a pause in fighting between the U.S. and Iran entered its sixth day, the outlet reported. The agreement has not been finalized, and public statements from Tehran and Washington have differed on its terms.

Iran Confirms Talks, Describes Temporary Arrangement

Iran's Foreign Ministry confirmed ongoing talks with Oman to establish what it called a "temporary" shipping route through the waterway, through which around one-fifth of the world's oil traveled in peacetime. Saeed Ajorlu, a member of Tehran's negotiating committee, told the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting that such an arrangement would be in effect for one to three months "where Iran is dominant." "We assert that the legal regime for passage through the Strait of Hormuz must not return to its pre-war state," Ajorlu said, referring to the period before the conflict when no state controlled the waterway. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Monday, Aug. 3, there would be no permanent change in Hormuz "as long as the U.S. mischief continues, as long as the Iranian sea siege continues, as long as the U.S. military aggression against Iran and its allies continues." Iran has denied holding negotiations with the United States, saying its current talks are with Oman on a new shipping route [2].

U.S. Official Disputes Iran's Account; Oman Cites Neutral Role

A U.S. official told NYT that Iran's description of the would-be agreement was "not accurate," insisting that no tolls would be collected and Tehran would have no say over which ships could traverse the strait or what route would be used. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported last week that Iranian and Omani negotiators were working toward an arrangement to restart commercial shipping, although major disagreements remained over transit fees and the rules governing passage. A U.S. official told WSJ that Washington remained closely engaged with mediators on an indirect basis. In a July 14 statement, Oman’s Foreign Ministry described its role as "transparent and neutral cooperation with all parties" aimed at restoring freedom of navigation through the Strait while complying with international maritime law. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Tuesday, Aug. 4, that Washington could reach a deal with Tehran to reopen the strait by Wednesday, Aug. 5. "We are in talks with the Iranians," Bessent told CNBC [3]. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said progress had been made in the talks "but not finality yet," adding, "We’re hoping that will happen very shortly" [4].

Strategic Importance and Ongoing Negotiations

The Strait of Hormuz carried approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil supply in peacetime, making the waterway strategically significant for global energy markets. Historical trade routes linking the Persian Gulf and the open Indian Ocean passed through the strait, according to Lewis Dartnell in "Origins: How the Earth Shaped Human History" [5]. Global prosperity has long depended on secure sea lanes, as Gregg Easterbrook writes in "The Blue Age How the U.S. Navy Created Global Prosperity and Why Were in Danger of Losing It" [6]. In June, Iran and Oman created a joint working group to negotiate navigation, shipping services and the future management of the strait, pledging to keep the waterway "a secure and open" route for international shipping. The waterway has been shuttered repeatedly during the conflict. Iran reclosed the strait on April 18 after the United States refused to lift its naval blockade of Iranian ports, according to NaturalNews.com [7]. Russia and China on April 8 vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution seeking to reopen the strait [8]. Insurers have raised rates for vessels in the region or refused coverage altogether, and more than 3,000 ships have remained stranded in the Persian Gulf, according to Bright Videos Network [9].

Outlook

The agreement has not been finalized, and competing accounts from Iranian and U.S. officials indicate that major disagreements remain over transit fees and the rules governing passage. Iran asserts that the legal regime for the strait must change from its pre-war status, while U.S. officials maintain that no tolls will be collected and Iran will not control routing. Oil prices fell to a three-week low Tuesday as senior U.S. officials raised hopes of a deal, with Brent crude dropping almost 5% to under $80 a barrel, according to the BBC [10]. Qatar's Foreign Ministry said mediators are continuing their efforts, but that no direct talks are planned [11]. A cargo ship was struck by an unknown projectile in the strait overnight, according to British maritime authorities [12]. Any final arrangement will depend on resolving the disputes over fees and passage rules, with Washington said to remain engaged with mediators on an indirect basis, according to WSJ.

References

  1. The War Zone. "Iran And Oman Working To Control Strait Of Hormuz, Shaky Ceasefire Still Holding". August 4, 2026.
  2. The Epoch Times. "Iran Denies US Talks, Says Negotiations Are With Oman on New Hormuz Route". August 3, 2026.
  3. The Times of Israel. "US treasury secretary says deal with Iran to reopen Hormuz could be sealed by Wednesday". August 4, 2026.
  4. The Times of Israel. "Rubio: Progress made in talks to reopen Hormuz, but there's still some work to do". August 5, 2026.
  5. Lewis Dartnell. "Origins How the Earth Shaped Human History".
  6. Gregg Easterbrook. "The Blue Age How the US Navy Created Global Prosperity and Why Were in Danger of Losing It".
  7. NaturalNews.com. "Strait of Hormuz Closed Again After U.S. Maintains Blockade of Iranian Ports". April 21, 2026.
  8. Garrison Vance. "Russia, China Veto UN Resolution on Strait of Hormuz, Citing Escalation Risk". NaturalNews.com. April 8, 2026.
  9. Bright Videos Network. "2026-03-18-BVN-TRUMP REGIME UNRAVELING_otter_ai-". March 18, 2026.
  10. BBC News. "Oil prices fall as US officials raise hopes of a deal with Iran". August 4, 2026.
  11. BBC News. "Qatar says US-Iran mediation efforts continuing but no direct talks planned". August 4, 2026.
  12. RT. "Cargo ship struck in Hormuz after Trump's 'decapitation' threat". August 4, 2026.

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